Influence and negotiation are among the most crucial leadership skills, as they shape decisions, outcomes and credibility, both for individuals and their organizations. What does it take to master negotiations as dynamics become more complex and the stakes get higher?
On August 12, Sara Ellis Conant, Co-founder and CEO of a)plan coaching led a group of 60+ financial leaders, including members and guests from 100 Women in Finance and our co-organizer, FEI SF Bay Area, through a highly interactive and practical workshop hosted at BPM’s beautiful San Francisco downtown office.
Sara introduced the concept of Nemawashi, a Japanese word that means obtaining buy-in and building consensus early. She reminded us to strengthen our language & presence – “I strong suggest…” instead of “How about…?”; “Here is my plan” rather than “Maybe we can…” Every influential conversation starts with understanding clearly the purpose, outcome, and risks, and knowing our audience. As financial women, we can bring value and concrete-data into our negotiations, driving clarity and secure accountability, especially in high-stakes conversations.
Audience paired up in breakout groups to discuss where they found negotiations challenging, then practiced persuasion on real situations, with instant feedback and encouragement. Participants highlighted and shared what they learned with real enthusiasm, and everyone walked away with practical tools they could start using right away.
To close, each person was asked to provide a one-word takeaway. Here is a sample, grouped by themes (credit to FEI SF Bay Area for this great idea):
How it felt: Inspiring. Uplifting. Empowering. Valuable. Engaging. Informational.
What they will do: Ask for more. Speak confidently. Find the win-win. Listen. Data is a weapon. Be curious about the other party.
Key concepts: Nemawashi. Consensus-building. Strategic planning. No imposter syndrome. Learn to listen.
Our deepest thanks to our speaker, Sara Ellis Conant, our co-organizer FEI SF Bay Area, and our host BPM LLP for making the evening a success.
