Have you ever noticed how persistent and creative they are?

They ask for five more minutes to play, a little extra dessert, or an extra story before bed, and that do so without any hesitation. They negotiate without fear!
Pushing boundaries, listening, adapting, and building their case with absolute confidence…

It made me think, that as adults, we often lose that forthright courage.

We second-guess, overthink, and often hesitate to ask for what we truly want.

Yet, the basic principles that children follow, curiosity, persistence and adaptability, are exactly what we need in professional negotiations.

This hit home during my book signing at Chennai Airport. As I sat signing books, I watched a young child negotiate with her parent for a small toy at a nearby store. The way she reasoned, promising to behave or do her homework without a fuss, was absolutely a mini-masterclass in negotiation. What struck me was how naturally children negotiate, without overthinking or fear. She didn’t give up after the first “no” and was flexible enough to change her approach, convincing her parent in the end.

It reminded me how essential these simple yet powerful negotiation techniques are, no matter your age.

Whether you are negotiating with a client, a colleague, or even yourself, approaching it with the mindset of a child can change everything. So next time you are about to take on a negotiation, remember the basics
Ask without fear,
Adapt, and
Push the boundaries.