Here’s this week’s Leading the Pivot reflection, a short pause for perspective and growth.

Leading the Pivot | Begin with Alignment
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​Practical wisdom for the pivots that shape us.

The Moment
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​Negotiation often brings to mind car sales or high-stakes deals, yet it shows up everywhere. From the boardroom to the dining room, we are negotiating constantly, often with ourselves more than we realize.

At its core, negotiation carries an intention of reaching agreement. The quiet question beneath it all is often this: agreement for who? Most of us want to come out with a win, especially when we carry responsibility for teams, projects, outcomes, and the people we partner with along the way.

The Pivot
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​What if we began negotiations from a place of alignment rather than difference. What if we started with what we share before naming where we diverge.

There will always be differences, sometimes significant ones. Yet when we begin by acknowledging common goals and shared stakes, the conversation shifts.

Alignment creates space.

It invites perspective.

It opens a lane where solutions can emerge that serve more than one side.

When we negotiate from shared ground, success is no longer a zero-sum game.

The Move
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​This week, as you approach a negotiation opportunity, begin by naming what you hold in common. Start with alignment, and let that shared space guide the path forward.

Cheering you on to your best life,
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Amanda Crooks, M.Div, BCC, CMCS, GCDF
​Board Certified Coach | Leadership, Career & Well-Being

If you’d like to explore ongoing coaching, you can find details here:

​Coaching to Your Best Life Profile | Leland Profile​

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