The Baby Negotiator

Dear Impossible Readers,

If you have ever fed a baby, you know that the baby will create the most adorable hot mess before it even takes its first bite. Each time, you try a different strategy in the hope of coming out clean, only to find that the baby has just made you and created an even cuter mess.

Adults often believe that negotiation is mainly about strategy, logic, and compromise. This just spells overcomplicated. Babies are emotionally genuine. They cry when upset and laugh when happy. Many adults think it is more professional to conceal feelings during negotiations, but research on emotional contagion shows that people respond more to authentic feelings than to scripted words. Clearly expressing your real priorities can be much more persuasive than a vague, neutral email.

Babies teach us the importance of persistence and timing. In fact, when you say no, they laugh and do it explicitly, then clap their hands. Repeated effort influences behaviour, a principle psychologists refer to as operant conditioning. Additionally, babies instinctively cry at the perfect moment when parents are most likely to respond. Adults can learn from this by observing moods, priorities, and energy levels before making a request.

Furthermore, babies do not give hints. Instead, they express exactly what they want. Loud, proud, and unmistakable. Adults benefit from clarity by framing requests simply and directly, outlining what they need, why it matters, and how it benefits everyone. Clear communication removes guesswork and leads to faster results. Moreover, a toddler might throw a tantrum and then start giggling mid-meltdown, keeping parents engaged. Adults can learn from this disarming pivot. A moment of unexpected humour or warmth can break a stalemate and remind the other party that you are all human.

Another key strategy is to attract attention through presence. Babies capture attention by being fully present. Every smile, cry, or coo is an entire performance. Adults can mirror this by engaging in active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and using attentive body language. People naturally gravitate towards those who make them feel heard and appreciated. Finally, babies remind us not to fear appearing demanding. They ask, demand, and express themselves freely, yet adults tend to cave. In adult life, confidence is convincing. Asking clearly and assertively is much more effective than overthinking politeness or worrying about seeming pushy.

Negotiating like a baby does not mean throwing tantrums or being unreasonable. It means being authentic, persistent, clear, timely, playful, present, and confident.

Take baby negotiation steps,
Yours Possibly