Ep 08: David - Leading Negotiations and Negotiating Skills

This is episode #08 of Leadership Conversations: The Untold Secrets of the C-Suite by Nick Jonsson, and we are pleased to welcome David Lim—Motivational Speaker, Leadership Coach, and famously known as The Everest Guy. In this episode, David shares his deep expertise on the art and science of leading successful negotiations, a skill that every leader must master to navigate today’s complex business environment.

David Lim draws from decades of experience leading teams, overcoming adversity, and facilitating high-pressure decision-making. His negotiation philosophy goes far beyond tactics—it is about preparation, emotional intelligence, and the ability to influence with clarity and integrity. He explains that successful negotiation begins long before both parties meet at the table. Leaders must understand their goals, anticipate objections, and identify areas where value can be created rather than contested.

Throughout the episode, David discusses strategies for building trust and rapport, which are essential foundations for any negotiation. He explains how active listening, asking powerful questions, and demonstrating empathy can shift conversations from confrontational to collaborative. By focusing on shared interests rather than fixed positions, leaders can guide discussions toward outcomes that benefit all parties involved.

David also breaks down the psychological aspects of negotiation, including how to manage emotions under pressure, avoid cognitive traps, and remain centered in the face of uncertainty. He highlights the importance of recognizing verbal and nonverbal cues and adjusting your approach accordingly. These subtle skills often determine whether a deal succeeds or falls apart.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into overcoming common negotiation challenges—such as handling difficult counterparts, navigating stalemates, and reframing proposals to unlock new possibilities. David shares practical tools for maintaining control during tense discussions and techniques for recovering when things go off track.

Whether you're a senior executive, entrepreneur, or someone developing foundational leadership skills, this episode equips you with actionable methods to strengthen your negotiation capability. With the right mindset and strategy, anyone can negotiate with confidence, inspire trust, and lead conversations that produce win–win outcomes.

Tune in to elevate your influence, sharpen your decision-making, and become a more persuasive, effective leader.

Contact David Lim to collaborate with him:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlimspeaks/⁠

Visit our website to find more podcast  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nickjonsson.com/leadership-conversations-the-untold-secrets-of-the-c-suite⁠⁠⁠