Greg Williams learned to read body language at the age of four, as a shoeshine boy going for tips outside of the bar in his North Philadelphia neighborhood.
And as he grew, he grew increasingly good at negotiating - that is, in using his words and body to influence others.
For some of us, negotiating is a way of life. For others, it's a terrifying activity. For others still, it's an icky form of manipulation.
Greg Williams takes the mystery out of negotiation, which is a good thing because, as he reminds us, "We're always negotiating."
In our conversation, which you should definitely watch as well as listen to (it is about body language, after all), Greg teaches me some of the basics and the finer points of negotiation.
A master teacher as well as a master negotiator, Greg runs through a bunch of role plays, and gets me to try new and strange ways of talking and being, to see what happens when I "act" in those ways, as well as the response it elicits in others.
And throughout, we break character to comment on the role play; to discuss how it felt, what each of us saw and heard, and possible alternative "moves."
In addition, we talked about how to deal with bullies, racists, sexists, and others who seek to take advantage or dismiss those they deem weaker or more vulnerable.
And how being a skilled and honorable negotiator can make the world a better place.
Links
Greg Williams' website: TheMasterNegotiator.com
Greg's email: greg@themasternegotiator.com
Negotiating with a Bully: Take Charge and Turn the Tables on People Trying to Push You Around, by Greg Williams with Pat Iyer
Body Language Secrets to Win More Negotiations: How to Read Any Opponent and Get What You Want, by Greg Williams and Pat Iyer