Even When You Get a Great Deal, Stay Professional and Silent
Negotiations are often intense, emotional, and complex. In the best-case scenario, both parties feel a mix of wins and compromises—an indication of a fair deal. However, one of the biggest negotiation mistakes you can make is gloating over a “win” and celebrating too soon.
No matter how good the deal is, a victory dance can backfire. Overconfidence and unnecessary boasting can damage long-term business relationships, reduce trust, and even lead to future conflicts.
Let’s explore why keeping emotions in check is critical to successful business negotiation strategies and how to win a negotiation without burning bridges.
Winning the Deal | But Losing the Relationship
Imagine you’re negotiating to acquire a company, and everything goes your way. You secure the best possible terms, the seller agrees quickly, and you close the deal at a price lower than you expected.
At that moment, it’s tempting to say something like:
“Wow, I would have paid millions more for this business!”
Big mistake.
Even though you won the negotiation, you just lost the trust of the seller. If they are staying on for the ownership transition, they may now try to recover their losses through other means—dragging their feet, withholding critical information, or making the process difficult.
Or, if you were dealing with an investor or private equity firm, your gloating could mean no future deals with them. Even if you don’t need them today, you might in the future. But now, you’ve lost a valuable business connection over a moment of pride.
Keep Your Mouth Shut
I once acquired a company where my accountant discovered a $2 million profit discrepancy—something the sellers had overlooked. This meant we were getting the business at a steep discount without them even realizing it.
After months of negotiations, we closed the deal. But did I gloat? Did I tell the sellers they had undervalued their company? Absolutely not.
Instead, we shook hands, smiled, and kept quiet. Why? Because we needed their cooperation during the transition period. Maintaining a positive business relationship ensured that they stayed engaged, motivated, and helpful—even after the deal was signed.
This is not about deception; it’s about emotional intelligence in negotiations and knowing when to speak—and when to stay silent.
3 Mistakes to Avoid During Negotiation
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Make the Other Party Feel Good
Your goal isn’t just to win the deal—it’s to ensure the other party feels like they won, too.
Instead of boasting, say something like:
“That was a tough negotiation. I think you got a great deal, and I look forward to working together in the future.“
Even if you feel like you dominated the negotiation, letting them walk away happy increases the chances of future collaboration.
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Think Long-Term, Not Just Short-Term
Winning one negotiation doesn’t mean much if it costs you future business opportunities.
For example:
- A private equity firm you are embarrassed about might refuse to bring you future deals.
- A business owner you humiliated might warn others about working with you.
- A partnership opportunity could be lost because of a bad reputation.
Taking the high road ensures that you keep doors open for future deals.
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Resist the Urge to Brag – Online or Offline
One of the worst deal-making mistakes you can make is bragging about your “win” on social media.
Gloating about how you “beat” someone in a negotiation can damage your business reputation and come back to haunt you when you least expect it.
Think about the difference between a trusted business leader and a used-car salesman. One builds long-term relationships; the other focuses on short-term gains. Which one do you want to be?
Final Negotiation Mistake to Avoid – Keep the Victory Dance to Yourself
No matter how tempting it may be to celebrate a successful negotiation, always stay professional.
- Winning a deal isn’t just about getting the best price—it’s about ensuring a positive relationship for the future.
- Emotional intelligence in negotiations separates great leaders from amateurs.
- The best negotiators build trust and respect, even when they win big.
The rule is simple: No victory dances allowed.
Would you rather be known as someone who wins one great deal or as someone people trust to do business with for years to come? The choice is yours.
