Getting to Yes

Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In

By: Roger Fisher, William Ury

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Getting to Yes is a straightorward, universally applicable method for negotiating personal and professional disputes without getting taken - and without getting angry.

It offers a concise, step-by-step, proven strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict - whether it involves parents and children, neighbors, bosses and employees, customers or corporations, tenants or diplomats. Based on the work of the Harvard Negotiation Project, a group that deals continually with all levels of negotiation and conflict resolution, from domestic to business to international, Getting to Yes tells you how to:

• Separate the people from the problem
• Focus on interests, not positions
• Work together to create opinions that will satisfy both parties
• Negotiate successfully with people who are more powerful, refuse to play by the rules, or resort to "dirty tricks"

©2011 Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Valuable and Enjoyable Lessons on Negotiation

A useful and thorough listen on how to negotiate without simply doing a give-and-take, but instead reaching agreements that truly satisfy the needs of all parties.

Worth the listen

It’s easy to understand as it is straightforward, and the reader has a non-intrusive voice and tone.

Very Thoughtfully Written

The process of principled negotiation described in this book is thoroughly examined from numerous angles. Very helpful!

Focus on interests not positions - point taken

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great book, great message.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Getting to Yes?

Soft on people, Hard on problems.

What does Dennis Boutsikaris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is great at switching between characters -- especially when he plays out the scene of the two tenants and the land lady. Really good stuff here.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

- Be soft on people and hard on problems- Focus on interests, not positions

Any additional comments?

This book is a classic. For a well rounded understanding of why this stuff works, read Influence by Robert Cialdini.

Timeless

Solid timeless principles that can be applied in many areas of life and business. Felt monotone in some spots, but very useful content and well structured.

No-trick negotiating

This book contains straightforward advice for a style of negotiation that is both honest and fair. Many of the topics were eye opening and easily applicable.

The downsides, to me, were that the context was a bit dated and sometimes too abstract. As a millennial living in the Information Age, it's a bit hard to care about large scale political negotiations from the 1970s, when I am simply looking for a way to negotiate a higher salary (I know, I know - the concepts are generally applicable). Also, as I've often found to be the case with "self-help" type audiobooks, I wish I had the material in print, so that I could reference it over time. The last chapter of this book is basically a series of tidbits that I've love to be able to flip through.

Great book overall. I might buy it in print if I don't find a more modern alternative.

Taking negotiation to the next level!

This is an excellent book that demonstrates the pros and the cons of effective negotiation. It chooses the best outcome that benefits both parties.

Better to read than listen

I didn’t enjoy the audiobook format for this one. I should have good with the kindle book instead. I’m sure it’s a good book, but I’d prefer to be able to read specific sections as I need them. Listening to the whole thing in sequence was a bit dry.

Straightforward and insightful

Straightforward delivery of useful practices with everyday application. Insightful approach to productive negotiations and conversations.

A Must Read

Would you consider the audio edition of Getting to Yes to be better than the print version?

This book is perfect for listening during one's commute.

Any additional comments?

For the longest time, I thought the best negotiator was the one who could be the toughest. This book shows why that is such a myth. The best negotiator is one who understands their own goals as well as the goals and psychology of the other party to come up with a solution. Prior to reading, I always felt like I was at a disadvantage during negotiations due to poor bargaining skills. I now can enter negotiations with much greater confidence knowing that the other party and I have a common goal of reaching an agreement. As the title of the book states, the key word is agreement. This is entirely different than compromise. Read the book and you will understand!