Posts By: Joan Axelrod Siegelwax

“Would Be Nice” – Negotiation’s Strongest Bargaining Chip

When we show up at the negotiation table, whether for an interview, arbitration, mediation, transition, deal, even quite frankly for a first date, we are taught to come armed with our “Must Haves” and “Deal Breakers.” We are never instructed to come prepared with our “Would Be Nices.” These are the areas, concepts and items for which […]

You Can Learn A Lot Hanging Around The Playground

If you knew now that what made you popular as a teenager could potentially make you unpopular as an adult would you have behaved differently? I know I would. Let’s dial it back even further. If you understood that the simple messages bestowed upon you in grade school, your backyards, and the actions witnessed on […]

Recipe for Resilience

There are times when it appears the tide has washed ashore.  Your boat has sprung a leak. The sun has set in your backyard.  During these temporary dark periods it appears that no matter how quickly you bail out water, paddle up stream, reach for safer ground, you still get nowhere. You may widely open […]

Teach Your Children Well: They Might Be Listening!

My Birthday and Mother’s Day gifts did not come this year in beautiful boxes with lovely ribbons.  They did not come in the form of a bouquet or in breathtaking flats of flowers carefully chosen by my family to lovingly plant in my garden.  Nor in a carefully prepared meal of multiple fresh organic vegetables […]

Truth In Advertising

In most instances people and situations present themselves at face value. We however ignore the signs. We see what we choose to see. Painting the scene with our biases, expectations, experiences, hopes, dreams and yes fears.  After all why not, we want what we want. Our wills are strong. Why let a little thing like […]

Not My Circus

  When you take off on a flight, the attendant always says the same thing: “In case of an emergency put your oxygen mask on first before helping the people around you.” This includes the ones you love! As a road warrior I know this mantra better than anyone.  I heard these words every Monday […]

In Case of Emergency Break Glass

I sleep at night with the security of knowing that there is a box of snowcaps in my night-table.  This box of snowcaps has remained in my night-table unopened for over twenty years.  It has accompanied me through multiple moves, various trials and tribulations, and a multiple of life changes, players and personal iterations. For […]

Is The Finish Line Really a Dotted Line?

Why is it from the time we are children we are always striving to reach the next milestone. We can’t wait to lose our baby teeth, only to find we look silly and can’t successfully chew. Reaching double digits comes next accompanied by gaining entry to a coveted seat at the grown up table. Where […]

Transition to Transformation:  Navigating Change

The world is moving at a very fast pace.  What are you doing to keep in step? Every day we hear of corporate mergers, downsizing and restructures. What actions are you taking to rewrite your script to ensure you do not wind up on the cutting room floor? Did you choose to stay home devoting […]

Tips For Firing Your Inner Critic (Well, Maybe Not So Fast?)

I used to wish I could fire my inner critic.  You know…the little voice that comes out at the most inopportune times.  For instance, when we are about to go into a meeting, address a room, write a paper, or meet someone new.  It reminds us that we are not good enough, strong enough, smart […]