Recognizing Opportunities to Negotiate
Happy June, my people!
Cheers to a month filled with goodness, abundance, soft vibes and sunshine.
The ability to recognise an opportunity depends on your perspective, experience, culture, role models, and goals.
For some, negotiation is instinctive, woven into the fabric of daily life through upbringing or necessity. For others, it’s a learned skill, often awakened only after a missed opportunity stings just enough to prompt, “I could’ve asked for more.”
But here’s the truth: negotiation doesn’t only happen in boardrooms or salary discussions. It shows up in everyday moments when choosing project timelines, discussing responsibilities, or navigating relationships. The real challenge is learning to spot those moments before they pass.
Your background plays a major role. If you were raised to accept what you’re given without “making trouble,” you might struggle to speak up, even when something feels unfair. But if you’ve seen assertiveness modelled by mentors or colleagues, you may naturally recognise where give-and-take is not only possible, but expected.
Goals also matter. When you’re clear on what you want - whether that’s flexibility, recognition, equity, or peace of mind- you start seeing conversations as open doors instead of dead ends. Experience teaches you that “no” is rarely the end of the world, and that the right “ask” can shift dynamics, perceptions, even entire trajectories.
The most successful negotiators I know aren’t just persuasive - they’re perceptive. They pay attention to silence, to body language, to patterns. They understand that timing is everything and that preparation always beats improvisation.
So, how do you get better at recognising negotiation opportunities?
Start by noticing discomfort. That internal pinch, when something doesn’t sit right, is often your first cue that a boundary can be adjusted or a benefit can be claimed.
Observe how others advocate for themselves. Especially people you admire. What language do they use? What posture do they adopt?
Practice small. Negotiate your coffee order, a meeting time, and a deadline extension. Build the muscle, and the big moments won’t feel so daunting.
Ultimately, recognising opportunities to negotiate is about paying attention to your needs, your values, and the unspoken spaces between what’s offered and what’s possible.
Because often, the difference between what you’re given and what you deserve… is simply the courage to ask.
Share negotiation tips in the comments - let’s learn together.
Bible Verse of the Day: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”. Psalm 46:10 ESV
Best wishes.
Iced Matcha & Fruit Scones