Start with the Victory Speech

“When you’re facing a difficult conflict, start by writing down the other side’s victory speech.”

Ever heard advice so simple yet so powerful?

I tuned into Tim Ferriss' podcast recently with William Ury on. The guy's a negotiation wizard.

He shared that nugget of wisdom and it hit me hard.

Think about it. How often do we focus on what we want? Our needs. Our wins.

We forget the other side has their own story.

Their own goals.

Their own victories.

I tried it. I was dealing with a tricky situation. Business partners butting heads. Egos flaring. No one backing down. Sounds familiar?

I grabbed a pen. Wrote their victory speech.

What would make them feel they won? What would they say if they got everything they wanted?

Magic. It shifted my perspective. I saw things from their angle. It wasn't about losing or giving up. It was about understanding. Finding common ground.

Suddenly, the conversation changed. Solutions popped up. Compromises felt natural. We weren’t just battling anymore. We were building.

It’s easy to get caught up in our bubble. Our victories. Our speeches.

But step out. See the other side.

Try it next time. Before you dive into the argument, write their victory speech. Understand their win.

It doesn’t mean you lose. It means you’re smart enough to see the bigger picture.

You might be surprised at how things turn out.

And remember: Winning isn’t everything. But understanding is.

Stay bold & curious,

Tino