top of page
Search
Writer's pictureandrew06163

Negotiation Frame Equation 1: Curiosity > Ego


During a Lex Fridman podcast, Lee Cronin, the brilliant professor and artificial intelligence expert gave us our first Negotiation Frame Equation, which in this case is not an equation but an inequality: Curiosity > Ego. Professor Cronin comes across humble, but admits he possesses a good-sized ego (as you might expect from such an expert), "but my curiosity is bigger than my ego."


Wow! Wouldn't that also be a good frame of mind when entering into a negotiation? If we boost our curiosity, or lower our ego (or both), we will likely avoid clashes that can derail a negotiation and instead put and keep us on track for a successful outcome.


For example, a potential buyer says they can't afford your asking price of $27,000 for the used Toyota Camry you're hoping to sell. If your ego is equal to or larger than your curiosity, you'll be tempted to defend the quality of the car, maybe pull out the "Blue Book" and show that you're asking for a fair price. But if instead, you express genuine curiosity (first by asking yourself, "I wonder why can't they afford the $27,000?"), you might learn that the seeming price objection has nothing at all to do with the quality of the Camry or any ideas around fairness, You won't know unless you ask. And if you do ask, you might learn in this case, it's actually all about timing of a bonus or a pre-approved loan amount, or any number of other reasons the buyer may say they "can't afford" your asking price. The Blue Book won't change either of those reasons.


Most of us don't go into either side of a used car negotiation with a curiosity mindset. We just want to make sure we don't get taken for a ride!


"Didn't Curiosity Kill the Cat?"

Yes, most of us know that expression–but remember the other one about cats: They have 9 lives. So even if you lose one, you've got 8 left. And in any case, curiosity definitely does not kill off negotiations; it brings more life to them. A negotiation is, at its root, simply a conversation, albeit often one perhaps with not-so-simple objectives, or one with office politics or other constraints. The best conversations are those where at least one of the parties is curious about the other party–where they're coming from, what their motivations are, what would make them perceive the negotiated outcome as positive?


One of the beauties of the inequality "Curiosity > Ego" is that it allows for a healthy ego. Not enough ego and you'll let your counterpart aggressively walk all over you as you passively acquiesce to every demand. Not exactly a winning strategy. Whereas cultivating and maintaining an abundant curiosity can keep your ego from sabotaging your negotiations. So how can you cultivate your curiosity?


First, set "Be curious" as an explicit goal as you enter the negotiation. To help, imagine you're playing two roles. In one, you're a businessperson, working for the best deal you can get; in the other, you're an investigative reporter. As a reporter, you aim to find something new about your counterpart. Every time they say something that could potentially trigger a negative or defensive response in you, take out your metaphorical reporter's notepad and your Press Pass, you know, that piece of paper that gets you into the arena. Then ask questions that both put the other side at ease and allow them to share their reasons, as best they can. Then dig a little deeper. As James Altucher often says, "There's always a good reason, and then a real reason, for what people do."


You want to get to the real reasons, reasons the other side may not even know unless and until you unearth them together. Once unearthed, the real reasons can lead to bigger, better outcomes. Working together is what we call collaboration (the prefix col, a variant of com–"together," and labor, "work"). And we're more likely to tip the scale toward success by starting with the inequality, Curiosity > Ego.


Do you have any favorite ways to either increase your curiosity or decrease your ego? How about any good examples, or "good examples of bad examples" you've seen around this inequality, Curiosity > Ego.? Share them here or back to me directly at andrew@amt-group.com. Thank you!


101 views7 comments

Recent Posts

See All

7 Comments


Khel Raja stands out as one of the best betting sites in India, offering an exceptional user experience and a wide range of sports and casino options. With competitive odds, secure transactions, and responsive customer support, Khel Raja is the go-to platform for both novice and seasoned bettors. Join now for exciting promotions and a thrilling betting adventure!


Like

CEH v13 AI Training for Freshers in Pune: A Perfect Launchpad


For freshers aspiring to dive into the empire of AI security and ethical hacking, specialized CEH v13 AI training programs in Pune cater to their unique learning needs and foundational knowledge. These training initiatives are designed to introduce beginners to the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, AI technologies, and ethical hacking methodologies. The curriculum is structured to provide a gradual learning curve, hands-on practice, and mentorship to support freshers in grasping the complexities of CEH v13 AI. 


Like

In negotiation, adopting 'Curiosity > Ego' can lead to more successful outcomes by fostering understanding and collaboration. Jim Jones, known for his strategic investments and substantial net worth https://wealthystars.net/jim-jones-net-worth/, exemplifies how embracing curiosity over ego can drive business success. Have you applied this mindset in your negotiations? I'm interested to hear your experiences!

Like

Hellstar
Hellstar
Jun 12

Hellstar very nice post


Like

This is a thought-provoking discussion, Andrew. The concept of "Curiosity > Ego" resonates deeply, reminding me of a profound verse from <a href="https://surah-al-waqiah.com/''> Surah Al Waqiah </a> in the Quran. It states, "And you love wealth with immense love" (Surah Al Waqiah, 56:20). This verse underscores how unchecked ego and desire can cloud our judgment and hinder meaningful negotiations. By prioritizing curiosity over ego, we open ourselves to understanding the perspectives and motivations of others, fostering collaboration and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Thank you for sharing these insights and practical tips on cultivating curiosity in negotiations.

Like
bottom of page