I recently came across an article about my grandfather Rubin Latz’s death on the front page of the Minneapolis Morning Tribune on December 25, 1948. A long-time Minnesota labor leader and close friend of former U.S. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, I’m told he was...
I recently contacted a landscape designer to get a bid on our backyard and he came out to explore our thoughts. After checking everything out, he said he would put together his suggestions. He called a few days later and asked me to come to his nursery so he could...
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently engaged in one of the most consequential negotiations in U.S. history, as NBC News reported her as the one “fanning the flames” who “played a critical role in delicately nudging” President Joe Biden to withdraw his candidacy...
Whether you love or hate former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, almost everyone can agree that she masterfully wielded the reins of power to accomplish major public policy changes (Obamacare would likely have never passed without her). Of course, her negotiation skills...
My 14-year-old daughter has excellent negotiation skills. And that’s a problem, at least now. Of course, I shouldn’t complain. She’s a great kid and very responsible, etc. But she can also be really frustrating. My friends with older daughters tell me this is a...
I’m not much of a handyman. In fact, my father-in-law warns me all the time to stop overtightening everything. And he watches me with an eagle eye whenever I use any of his tools (and he has a veritable hardware store in his garage). It’s just not my skillset....
Years ago in law school, I was taught to pay particularly close attention to any inconsistencies I noticed in litigation from our opponents – whether in depositions, motions or at trial. I was told to analyze their words, strategic moves, and tone and body language....
The vote to depose Managing Partner Jessica Pearson of Pearson Hardman, the fictitious law firm in USA Network’s legal drama series Suits, was moments away. She was going to lose. But then star associate Mike Ross barged into the meeting, threw a folder onto the...
Here’s part two of my annual list of lessons learned and a reminder to put these strategies into practice in 2024. You won’t get better results if you don’t implement them. Almost all negotiations involve the weighing and prioritizing of interests along with...
