William Ury

William Ury is an American author, anthropologist, and negotiation expert known for his influential work in conflict resolution and negotiation theory. He co-founded Harvard's Program on Negotiation and has served as a negotiation adviser in conflicts ranging from corporate mergers to ethnic wars. His book "Getting to Yes" (co-authored with Roger Fisher) introduced the concept of principled negotiation and became one of the most influential negotiation texts ever published, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. The book's central framework of separating people from problems and focusing on interests rather than positions has been adopted by negotiators globally. Ury's subsequent works, including "Getting Past No" and "The Power of a Positive No," have further developed his theories on negotiation and conflict resolution. His research and methods have been applied in various settings, from international diplomacy to business negotiations and family disputes. The impact of Ury's work extends beyond academia into practical application through his role as a mediator in numerous high-stakes conflicts. His involvement includes peace talks in the Middle East, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union, as well as labor-management disputes and corporate negotiations.

Readers consistently praise Ury's clear, practical approach to negotiation tactics. The actionable frameworks and real-world examples resonate with business professionals, mediators, and people handling personal conflicts. What readers liked: - Concrete strategies that can be implemented immediately - Accessible writing style that breaks down complex concepts - Relevant examples from business and personal situations - Focus on maintaining relationships while achieving goals What readers disliked: - Some concepts feel repetitive across his books - Basic principles can seem obvious to experienced negotiators - Limited coverage of more challenging scenarios - Case studies sometimes oversimplify complex situations Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Getting to Yes: 4.0/5 (89,744 ratings) - Getting Past No: 4.1/5 (8,923 ratings) - The Power of a Positive No: 4.0/5 (3,891 ratings) Amazon: - Getting to Yes: 4.6/5 (4,218 ratings) - Getting Past No: 4.6/5 (856 ratings) - The Power of a Positive No: 4.5/5 (392 ratings) A common reader sentiment: "Changed how I approach difficult conversations at work and home" (Goodreads reviewer).

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (1981) A systematic method for principled negotiations, introducing the concept of separating people from the problem and focusing on interests rather than positions.

Getting Past No: Negotiating in Difficult Situations (1991) A framework for dealing with challenging negotiations and uncooperative counterparts using a five-step "breakthrough" strategy.

The Third Side: Why We Fight and How We Can Stop (2000) An examination of conflict resolution that presents ten roles people can play as third parties to help prevent, resolve, and contain disputes.

The Power of a Positive No: How to Say No and Still Get to Yes (2007) A method for saying no while protecting relationships by grounding refusal in positive values and offering constructive alternatives.

Getting to Yes with Yourself: And Other Worthy Opponents (2015) An exploration of internal negotiation and self-understanding as prerequisites for successful negotiations with others.

From the Boardroom to the War Room to the Situation Room: A Leader's Guide to Getting Through Conflict (2023) Analysis of negotiation principles applied across different high-stakes contexts, from business to international relations.

Roger Fisher co-authored "Getting to Yes" with Ury and created the negotiation framework used at Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation. His other works focus on international conflict resolution and diplomatic negotiations.

Douglas Stone specializes in difficult conversations and conflict management through the Harvard Negotiation Project. He applies negotiation principles to everyday workplace and personal interactions in books like "Difficult Conversations" and "Thanks for the Feedback."

Sheila Heen writes about feedback, conflict resolution, and handling challenging discussions in professional settings. She teaches negotiation at Harvard Law School and consults with organizations on implementing negotiation strategies.

Robert Cialdini researches the psychology of influence and persuasion in negotiation and decision-making. His work examines the core principles that drive people to say yes to requests and change their behavior.

Chris Voss developed negotiation techniques during his career as an FBI hostage negotiator and teaches practical application of these methods. His approach combines aspects of psychology, active listening, and tactical empathy in negotiations.