GoKawiilKey Takeaways Master negotiators Chris Voss and Jonathan B. Smith discuss how to quickly get someone’s attention, earn their trust, and get what you want.
The key is to help them feel seen and validated, at which point they’re more receptive to you.
Simple word changes can signal that you respect someone’s time and attention.
Everyone’s busy. So how do you get someone to help you?
The answer: Make them feel heard and respected — with some very carefully selected words.
When people feel understood and valued, they naturally want to help you. They open up, collaborate, and say yes to things they might otherwise reject.
Jonathan B. Smith has spent a career figuring this out. He works closely with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss, whose book Never Split the Difference has become a bible for negotiation tactics.
Now Smith has his own book, Fight Less, Win More, which builds on the lessons from Voss’s book — and teaches people how to connect with others and get what they want.
Voss especially loves Smith’s “magic wand phrases” — simple words that immediately make people feel better, and turn any interaction to your favor.
Here are three of their favorite phrases, which you can use whenever you need to get someone’s attention.
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