Book Of The Month: Never Split The Difference

You know when you walk into a bookstore with absolutely no plan? No list, no recommendations, just let’s see what catches my eye energy? That was me. I wasn’t even casually browsing to be fair - I kind of popped in for a quick look while I was in the mall, not really looking for anything specific. I don’t even know how Never Split the Difference ended up in my hands. I think I must have picked it up from a nearby shelf - I didn’t think twice, didn’t read the back - just grabbed it and went straight to checkout - which is very unlike me, because normally, I know exactly what I’m looking for. Quite a spontaneous move for me to be honest.

Now, let’s talk about the book. Chris Voss is the author and a former FBI hostage negotiator, and the whole premise of the book is that negotiation isn’t just for ransom situations - it’s something we do every day, whether we realize it or not. For example, asking for a raise. According to Chris, the key to getting what you want is not being aggressive or demanding. It’s actually about listening, making people feel understood, and subtly guiding the conversation in your favor - which in my opinion, sounds like a lot of work!