Stop Defending Yourself — Start Listening and Win Any Negotiation

Stop Defending Yourself — Start Listening and Win Any Negotiation

From Negotiate Anything by Kwame Christian Esq., M.A.

June 11, 2026 · 1h 9m

About this episode

This episode explores how effective communication can transform relationships and prevent conflicts.

What if the biggest threat to your relationship isn’t conflict — it’s the way you communicate during it? In this thought-provoking conversation, negotiation expert and mediator Alice Shikina joins Kwame Christian to reveal why so many successful professionals excel at communication in the boardroom but struggle to connect with the people they love most. Drawing from years of mediation experience, Alice shares a powerful perspective: every relationship is a negotiation, and learning how to negotiate well can transform the way we handle conflict at home. Together, they unpack the hidden communication patterns that fuel arguments, including interruptions, defensiveness, emotional escalation, and the common misconception that listening simply means hearing someone speak. You'll discover why acknowledgment is often the missing ingredient in difficult conversations, how unspoken emotions drive seemingly unrelated conflicts, and why de-escalation begins long before an argument starts. Whether you're navigating challenges with a spouse, partner, child, colleague, or friend, this episode offers practical tools to help you listen more deeply, communicate more effectively, and strengthen…

People in this episode

Host: Kwame Christian

Guest: Alice Shikina

Topics covered

  • communication
  • negotiation
  • conflict resolution
  • emotional intelligence
  • listening skills

Keywords

  • negotiation
  • communication
  • conflict
  • listening
  • emotional intelligence
  • relationships
  • de-escalation

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