3 Reasons Leaders Must Have Negotiation Skills

Cathie Leimbach • September 15, 2023

Leaders must have strong negotiation skills in order to navigate the complex landscape of business and effectively resolve conflicts that may arise. Negotiation is an essential skill for leaders as it allows them to build relationships, find common ground, and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

First, let’s look at the value of negotiation skills in building successful relationships. Negotiation requires effective communication including open-ended questioning, active listening, and empathy. These skills are vital for leaders to understand the needs and motivations of their team members, coworkers, clients, and other stakeholders. By being skilled negotiators, leaders can establish rapport based on trust and respect, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.

Secondly, negotiation is essential in resolving conflicts and reaching agreements. In any organization, differences of opinion and conflicting interests are inevitable. A leader who possesses negotiation skills can mediate conflicting viewpoints, find compromise, and facilitate win-win situations. This not only helps to maintain harmony within the team but also ensures that decisions and agreements are mutually beneficial and aligned with organizational goals.

Thirdly, negotiation skills are instrumental in achieving favorable outcomes and seizing opportunities. Leaders with strong negotiation skills can effectively advocate for their organization, secure advantageous deals, and leverage their position to create strategic alliances. They possess the ability to navigate tough negotiations, make persuasive arguments, and influence key decision-makers.

In conclusion, negotiation skills are invaluable for leaders in any field. They enable leaders to build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and achieve favorable outcomes. By honing their negotiation skills, leaders can become more effective communicators, problem solvers, and decision-makers, ultimately driving success for their organization and creating a positive and collaborative work environment.

The Performance Gap: Why Half Your Team is Burning Out

By Cathie Leimbach • September 30, 2025
Based on insights from James Hewitt's "Regenerative Performance" Something's not adding up in today's workplace. While companies demand more from their teams, the results tell a concerning story. Research shows that 50% of employees now show clear signs of burnout, and an alarming 73% feel disconnected from their work. James Hewitt, performance expert and author of "Regenerative Performance," points to a critical mismatch. We're asking people to perform at peak levels without giving them what they need to recover and recharge. Think of it like a smartphone. You can't expect your phone to run at full power all day without plugging it in. Yet that's exactly what we're doing to our workforce. We pile on meetings, deadlines, and pressure while cutting back on the very things that restore energy: breaks, development time, and meaningful connection. The solution isn't working less—it's working smarter. Hewitt's research reveals that sustainable high performance comes from balancing intense effort with intentional recovery. Teams that build in time to recharge actually outperform those that push through exhaustion. Smart leaders are already making the shift. They're protecting their people's energy as carefully as they manage their budgets. Because burned-out employees don't just hurt themselves—they hurt the bottom line too. Want to dive deeper into this issue? View The Burnout Crisis to understand the full scope of this workplace challenge. "Sustainable high performance comes from the rhythm of oscillation—not from the intensity of effort alone." —James Hewitt

Why Boring Beats Brilliant

By Cathie Leimbach • September 23, 2025
Craig Groeschel's Blueprint for Real Leadership