Getting More: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life

Stuart Diamond’s approach to negotiation is a breath of fresh air compared to the standard "win-lose" mentality. This book isn't just for corporate sharks at Wharton; it's genuinely useful for anyone navigating daily life. I found the focus on understanding the other person’s perceptions to be the most valuable takeaway. Instead of focusing on facts and cold logic, Diamond emphasizes that people are everything. It’s an easy read, though you have to be patient with the sheer volume of examples he provides. Truth is, many of these "tricks" are actually just about being a decent, empathetic human being. Since finishing this, I’ve felt much more confident asking for what I want without feeling like I’m being aggressive. It teaches you how to create value where you didn't think any existed. Highly recommended for parents and professionals alike.

As someone who used to avoid any kind of conflict, this book has been a total game-changer for my career and personal life. Stuart Diamond reframes negotiation as a collaborative problem-solving process rather than a battle. The twelve major strategies are laid out clearly, and they are surprisingly easy to implement in low-stakes situations. I love the emphasis on "intangibles"—sometimes just acknowledging someone’s bad day is enough to unlock a massive discount. Personally, I found the chapter on parenting to be just as useful as the one on workplace salary negotiations. It’s about building relationships, not just "getting more" stuff for yourself. While it’s true that the book is quite thick, the practical nature of the advice makes every page worth the effort. It’s a comprehensive guide that I’ll be keeping on my desk for frequent reference.

After hearing Professor Diamond speak, I knew I had to grab his book, and it did not disappoint. The "Getting More" model is a systematic way to approach any problem, whether it’s a multi-million dollar merger or just getting your kids to go to bed. The truth is, most of us are terrible at asking for what we want because we make it about us instead of the other person. This book flips that script. It’s an engaging, well-written guide that feels like sitting in on one of his Wharton classes. I’ve already saved over $1,200 on various services just by using the "questions are more powerful than statements" technique. Yes, it’s a long book, but the wealth of practical lessons makes it a solid investment of time. It has truly changed how I view every interaction I have.

Finally got around to reading this after it sat on my shelf for a year, and my only regret is waiting so long. The book provides a fantastic framework for creating win-win relationships in every area of life. I used to think negotiation was just for sales reps, but Diamond shows how it’s the fundamental unit of human interaction. The specific tools, like using the other party's own standards against them, are incredibly powerful. I’ve become a much more confident person as a result of these lessons. Personally, I don't mind the length or the repetition because it helped the concepts sink in during my morning commute. It’s a useful, life-changing book that I’ve already recommended to several friends. If you want to stop leaving money on the table and start getting more of what you want, just buy it.

Ever wonder why some people always seem to get the better end of the deal? This book breaks down the "how" in a way that feels accessible, even if it is a bit long-winded at times. Diamond provides a clear framework for negotiation that moves beyond the typical "split the difference" advice. I managed to save nearly $300 on a hotel bill just by applying the "standards" technique he describes. To be fair, the book is incredibly verbose and repeats certain points ad nauseam, which can make it feel like a slog in the middle sections. However, the repetitiveness actually helps the core strategies stick in your mind. It’s less of a textbook and more of a manual for life. If you can get past the 400-page bulk, there are some real gems here that will pay for the book ten times over.

Wow, the "nice person" discount actually works! I tried Diamond's suggestion of just being empathetic to a stressed-out retail worker, and it resulted in a 15% discount I didn't even ask for. The book is filled with these kinds of small, actionable tips that make you realize how much you’ve been leaving on the table. Gotta say, it does get repetitive, and the stories about "Mark the attorney" or "Sarah the mom" start to blend together after a hundred pages. But that seems to be the point; the author wants these habits to become second nature. The core philosophy—that people are irrational and that’s okay—is a powerful shift from traditional negotiation theory. It’s a solid 4-star read that would have been a 5 if it were about 100 pages shorter. Still, it’s one of the most practical books on human interaction I’ve ever picked up.

Frankly, I was skeptical about a 400-page book on negotiation, but the focus on framing and standards is genuinely useful. Diamond moves away from the "hard bargainer" archetype and shows how being calm and focused on goals is more effective than being a bully. I particularly enjoyed the section on "trading items of unequal value," which has already helped me in a few vendor negotiations at work. To be fair, the book could use a tighter edit, as the author tends to circle back to the same points repeatedly. It reminds me a bit of "The 7 Habits" in how it tries to provide a total life philosophy rather than just a set of tactics. It’s a great framework for creating long-term relationships where both parties feel like they’ve won. Definitely a must-read for entrepreneurs, though you might want to skim some of the more anecdotal chapters.

This book is a real gem for anyone who feels like they struggle to stand up for themselves. The "Chinese debt" anecdote was a bit of a stretch, but the underlying principle about cultural awareness and "face" is spot on. I found the strategies to be very straightforward and easy to understand, even if the book is a bit repetitive. Not gonna lie, I started skipping some of the examples toward the end, but the first half is gold. It’s refreshing to see a negotiation book that prioritizes emotions and relationships over cold, hard facts. It makes you realize that being "right" is often less important than being "persuasive." If you want a practical approach that isn't about "crushing" your opponent, this is the one to get. It’s a bit of an investment in time, but the payoff is real.

Picked this up after a friend raved about it, but I have mixed feelings about the ethics presented. Some of the anecdotes, like the guy getting out of his 15th speeding ticket, felt a bit manipulative rather than collaborative. Is it really a "win-win" if a reckless driver stays on the road? In my experience, the line between clever negotiation and being a "jackass" is thinner than Diamond suggests. On the positive side, the tools regarding "trading items of unequal value" are genuinely brilliant for business settings. I also appreciated the section on dealing with different cultures, which felt more grounded than the rest of the book. It’s worth a read for the core strategies, but you definitely need to bring your own moral compass. The writing style is casual, but the constant references to his Wharton students started to grate on me after a while.

The chapter on parents and kids was where I finally lost interest in this overstuffed volume. It honestly feels like Diamond took a great 50-page essay and inflated it with fluff to satisfy a publisher's word count. Look, some of the advice is decent, but much of it feels incredibly patronizing or downright unrealistic. The story about the Chinese company paying a $700M debt because of a comment about "losing face" sounds more like an urban legend than a repeatable business strategy. For me, the emotional energy required to negotiate every single interaction sounds like a nightmare. I’d rather just pay the list price and keep my peace of mind. It’s a very verbose book that repeats the same phrases hundreds of times. Unless you’re a sociopath who wants to turn every grocery trip into a power struggle, you can probably skip this one.