If you’ve ever walked into a negotiation thinking the law and the facts would do the heavy lifting, and then watched the whole thing stall anyway, this episode will feel familiar. I’m joined by Nicole Davidson, accredited mediator and negotiation trainer, to talk about why disputes don’t settle on logic alone, and what actually moves people when positions are entrenched.

Nicole brings a rare mix of commercial and human skills, with a background spanning insolvency, investment banking, learning and development, and now commercial mediation. We talk about how she found her way into mediation through Harvard grounded negotiation training, and why she believes the quality of a mediator’s questions can be the difference between a good outcome and a great one.

We also get into the common mistakes lawyers make when negotiating, including over relying on legal merit and trying to “take the emotion out of it” when emotion is often the whole point. Nicole shares the core skills she sees as non negotiable, curiosity, asking better questions, and real listening, plus why negotiation training can give lawyers a framework they can use in disputes, deals, and everyday professional conversations.

Guest Links:

Nicole Davidson:

Website: https://www.nicoledavidsonnegotiation.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-davidson-negotiation/

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WORK WITH ME:

Book a Mediation or a 15-minute Discovery call with Damien: https://www.evolveresolve.com/booking

Website: https://www.evolveresolve.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/damien-van-brunschot

YouTube: @evolveresolve

Email: damien@evolveresolve.com