- $4 is not the same thing as conflict- you have to be willing to compromise and/or say no if you don't like the offer.
- Though it's widely hated, being able to $4 is a skill you need if you want to get ahead in your career.
- Being optimistic, prepared, and using active listening can boost your changes of success.
When I left the comfort of a steady paycheck to pursue full-time freelance work, I had no idea how difficult negotiating in the work world was going to be.
For the prior 20 years, I'd lived in the land of education. I worked in a system that pays a set amount of money based on two criteria: the number of years you've been working, and the amount of education you have.
As a result, I was poorly prepared for the world of freelance, where being successful requires you to be a master negotiator - something I've always hated doing.
I had to quickly get past the idea that $4 equals conflict, and instead embrace the fact that it's about communicating your needs to get what you deserve.
Here are some expert tips for negotiating, even for those who loathe the idea of it: