Steph Curry, Michael Phelps and Jimmie Johnson all go to Phil de Picciotto when it comes time for contract negotiations. CNNMoney’s Ahiza Garcia gets pro tips on how to negotiate your next raise.
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Tom Buchanan
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan’s confrontational business dealings reveal a willingness to negotiate aggressively, reflecting a broader American acceptance of price negotiation as a sign of power and influence.
tense, direct, transactional
Breaking Bad (2008-2013) offers a darker portrayal of negotiation in a scene where Walter White negotiates with drug kingpin Gus Fring. White, who is initially outmatched, uses his knowledge of chemistry and the production process to assert leverage, ultimately positioning himself as an indispensable asset. The negotiation is tense, direct, and transactional, emphasizing the American focus on maximizing personal gain, even at the risk of escalating conflict.
Pushback
Pushback. Resistance or objection. Unlike in some cultures where disagreement is downplayed, Americans may openly express pushback as a sign of engagement or assertiveness in negotations.
real-world conditions
American economic thought is heavily influenced by the classical economic model, which posits that prices are determined by the intersection of supply and demand. This perspective is rooted in the empirical, data-driven approach of economists such as Alfred Marshall and later, Milton Friedman. In this framework, price fluctuations are seen as natural market corrections that reflect real-world conditions, rather than as deviations from an objective standard.
Time is Money
The American term Time is Money conveys the concept of efficiency as a measure of good negotiation. It is culturally significant because prolonged processes are seen as a weakness or incompetence, especially regarding negotiations.
Standard Oil (Late 1800s)
John D. Rockefeller negotiated strategic deals to consolidate the oil industry, creating a near-monopoly through Standard Oil. His approach was hard-nosed, meticulous, and focused on long-term gains, demonstrating a calculated, strategic style.
Tom challenges Jay
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925). In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan, a man of privilege and power, confronts Jay Gatsby about his business dealings and relationship with Daisy. Tom challenges Gatsby to admit that his wealth is acquired through criminal means, asserting his dominance through aggressive, confrontational tactics.
Tom uses intimidation, personal attacks, and moral superiority to destabilize Gatsby and assert control over Daisy. He frames the interaction as a power play, showing how negotiation in American culture can be as much about positioning oneself as it is about the actual deal. The focus on personal leverage, assertiveness, and direct confrontation exemplifies the American approach to negotiation, where outcomes and power dynamics take precedence over decorum or structure.
Sollozzo requests
In The Godfather (Mario Puzo, 1969), Sollozzo, a narcotics dealer, meets with Don Corleone to request protection and investment in the drug trade. Don Corleone remains calm, calculated, and strategic, leveraging his reputation and network to assert control over the negotiation without ever raising his voice or making threats. The focus on power, reputation, and strategic long-term thinking, combined with a willingness to use leverage discreetly, aligns with a classic American negotiation style: firm, but not reckless.