The 12 Best Negotiation Books of All Time (2024)

Never Split the Difference shows how to win negotiations and communicate more influentially. Chris Voss perfected his techniques over 25 years at the FBI, negotiating with kidnappers and terrorists. He says we should work with emotions not just reason, demonstrate empathy, use open-ended questions and educate ourselves about cognitive biases.

Why should you read it? "Never Split the Difference" offers a thrilling ride into the world of elite negotiation, straight from the mind of an ex-FBI expert. Chris Voss takes you inside high-stakes negotiations, revealing strategies that can help you in both your professional and personal life. Imagine understanding the psychology of negotiation well enough to confidently buy a car, discuss a raise, close that important business deal—or even convince your friends to finally try that sushi restaurant you love. 🍣

Getting to Yes is the most important book on negotiation, according to many professionals. It comes from leaders of The Harvard Negotiation Project, who wanted to help people negotiate agreements with less time and friction. The four steps of the method are: people, interests, options and criteria.

Influence is about six principles of persuasion useful for sales, marketing, and negotiation. Professor Robert Cialdini backs his ideas with a lot of science research. The six principles are: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority and scarcity.

Why should you read it? Influence may be the greatest marketing book of all time. But more than that, like a secret playbook of the human mind—a deep dive into our decision-making process. Think of it as a crash course in "Why did I just agree to that?" or "Why did I just buy that?" It's a must-read, whether you are a marketer, salesperson, or you just want to communicate with more influence. By the end, you'll understand why we say "yes" to things that make no sense, from buying stocks we know nothing about to subscribing to that cheese-of-the-month club. 🧀

"What Every BODY Is Saying" by Joe Navarro is a guide to understanding body language, written by a former FBI agent. The book offers science-backed insights to help you communicate better and read people's nonverbal signals to understand their true thoughts and feelings.

Why should you read it? Reading "What Every Body is Saying" may completely change how you interact with people. Joe Navarro, with his vast experience as an FBI agent, provides fascinating insights into nonverbal communication that you can apply in everyday life. This book will make you more perceptive and aware of the subtle cues people give off, helping you understand their true feelings and intentions. It's a must-read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build better relationships.

Crucial Conversations teaches you how to handle difficult conversations at work and home, especially when people have opposing opinions, strong feelings, and the outcome matters. The book gives you tools and strategies to speak honestly yet respectfully, so you can communicate your thoughts and needs, while maintaining good relationships.

Why should you read it? Crucial Conversations equips you with practical tools to handle challenging conversations gracefully and effectively. Whether it's a tough talk with a colleague, a heart-to-heart with a loved one, or negotiating in high-stress situations, this book helps you stay composed and achieve the best possible outcomes. It's a must-read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build stronger relationships.

Pre-Suasion shows a new side of influence. It's about everything that happens BEFORE you ask someone to say yes to your proposal. Professor Robert Cialdini has distilled hundreds of scientific studies to prove that how you FRAME a message from the beginning is crucial to its success.

Thinking, Fast and Slow explains how people make decisions using two mental systems: "fast" thinking is instinctive and emotional, while "slow" thinking is deliberate and logical. Daniel Kahneman helps us understand our when our mind fall into common biases and irrational shortcuts, so we can make better decisions in the future.

Trump: The Art of the Deal is a memoir from Donald Trump that gives us an inside look at his earlier real estate career, building his empire that includes skyscrapers and casinos. Whether you love or hate Trump, you'll learn a lot about business, publicity and negotiation.

Nonviolent Communication shows us how to have healthy relationships through openly and honestly communicating our observations, feelings, needs and requests. This book can help us move past dysfunctional communication habits we learned growing up including guilt tripping, being passive aggressive, blaming, labelling and judging others as good or bad.

Why should you read it? "Nonviolent Communication" could be the first step towards fundamentally changing how you communicate. The book shines a light on how everyday language, filled with judgments, comparisons, and demands, can push us away from connecting with our own and others' humanity—kind of like trying to hug a cactus. 🌵

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie is a classic self-help book that offers practical tips for better communication and relationships. It teaches key principles for handling people, making friends, influencing others, and becoming a respected leader. The book highlights the importance of empathy, respect, and appreciation.

Why should you read it? The book is filled with timeless wisdom on how to build meaningful relationships and influence people positively. It's not just about making friends but also about becoming a better communicator and leader. I found the real-life examples and practical tips incredibly useful in both my personal and professional life. You should definitely read it to enhance your social skills and become more effective in your interactions.

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a self-help book that explains how powerful people have gained and maintained their control over the centuries. While controversial for its manipulative tactics, this book also shares eye-opening insights into history, strategy, and human nature.

To Sell Is Human is about "non-sales selling" or, how to persuade others. Daniel Pink argues that sales skills are more essential than ever because "moving others" has become a part of most careers and businesses. His advice centers on the new ABCs: Attunement, Buoyancy and Clarity.