As the middle of five children in an often challenging household, I assumed the role of peace maker. I forged alliances, listened to siblings' concerns, conducted shuttle diplomacy and found solutions that satisfied seven people's often conflicting desires.

The skills that helped me through my childhood became second nature in adulthood. Although my role negotiating complex business transactions differs from that of self-appointed family peace maker, my ongoing passion for negotiating relates to a common goal: bringing sides together for everyone's benefit.

During a negotiation, I use many of the skills I learned as a child and refined later in life:

• I can size up people within a few moments, even people whom I have met only briefly. I quickly grasp how they think and what's important to them, and I know far to push a position and when it's best to back off. I can differentiate between when to persuade and when to let people reach their own conclusions.
• I anticipate people's next steps, often knowing where their thought process is headed before they consciously do. Because of this ability, I can frequently guide negotiations participants down a different path, presenting -- and persuading them to accept -- innovative solutions they had not considered.
• I have learned to uncover the value that professionals provide so that I can powerfully speak of their value to others. I convey authority, credibility and trustworthiness, and people therefore feel safe around me and drop their defenses. In such a disarmed context, negotiations participants can effectively tackle the topics at hand.
• I believe solutions that satisfy all of the parties in a negotiation can be found to any set of challenges, no matter how complex, how personal or how seemingly at odds these challenges may be. My passion for bringing parties together to reach common agreement is a driving force in my life.

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