On a woman's guide to negotiation with Beth Fisher Yoshida

Beth Fisher-Yoshida is a Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University School of Professional Studies. She is also a Program Director of the Master in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and Co-Executive Director of the Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict and Complexity and Director of the Youth, Peace, and Society program, both hosted by the Climate School / Earth Institute at Columbia University.
Beth collaborates closely with clients to craft tailored strategies aimed at enhancing organizational performance. Leveraging her expertise gained in academia and practical experience, she seamlessly integrates theory with real-world application. As the founder of Fisher Yoshida International, she specializes in guiding organizations through transformative change, emphasizing improved communication and alignment with mission and vision.
A prolific author, she has contributed to numerous publications and is set to release a new book on women and negotiation. Her primary areas of focus encompass Coordinated Management of Meaning, negotiation, intercultural communication, conflict resolution, and transformative learning.
With Beth we will dicuss her hew book: "New Story, New Power: A Woman's Guide to Negotiation," in which she sheds light on the influence of internalized societal expectations, particularly on women, impacting their ability to negotiate effectively in various aspects of life. Despite conflicting cultural messages, women are breaking barriers in leadership roles. Through extensive interviews and research, Beth underscores the crucial role of self-awareness in shaping negotiation outcomes, emphasizing the need for women to challenge negative narratives and harness their inner voice for positive change. By fostering greater self-awareness, she empowers women to redefine their narratives and negotiate with confidence and clarity, transcending societal limitations.
In this podcast episode, we explore the inspiration behind the book and the urgent need for its message in today's world. We briefly sketch the "old story" of negotiation that has long dominated the field and why it’s time for a transformative change.
Beth sheds light on the unique challenges women face in negotiation scenarios that their male counterparts typically do not encounter. We discuss the alternatives to the outdated narratives and how women can adapt to varying contexts more effectively than men. The conversation highlights key lessons from the book, offering practical advice on handling gender bias and turning male-dominated industries to one's advantage.
Confidence is a critical theme in negotiation, and Beth provides strategies for women to build and harness it. Learn how to overcome the fear of being perceived as too aggressive or pushy, and understand the long-term impacts [Author's Name] hopes her book will have on women readers.
The episode also explores the evolving landscape of corporate support for women negotiators, with Beth sharing her observations on positive changes and areas needing improvement. She recounts surprising discoveries made during her research and how her own negotiation strategies have evolved since writing the book.
We also touch on topics she wishes she could have explored further and discuss potential future projects that continue her mission of empowering women in negotiation. For young women at the start of their careers, Beth offers invaluable advice on becoming skilled negotiators.