About this episode
Respect isn’t soft — it’s the sharpest power move in any negotiation. Buy The Book: Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Respect-Boardroom-Marcy-Syms/dp/0806544813 Most people think negotiation is about leverage, contracts, and numbers. But Marcy Syms — former CEO of Syms clothing stores and author of Leading with Respect — knows the real power comes from something far deeper: respect. In this conversation, Marcy shares how being underestimated became her secret weapon, why culture can make or break multimillion-dollar deals, and how trust and regard are the hidden currencies behind lasting success. From walking into boardrooms as the youngest woman on the New York Stock Exchange to navigating mergers where culture ate strategy for breakfast, Marcy reveals how respect isn’t “soft” — it’s the sharpest strategy you can bring to the table. You’ll learn: Why being underestimated can give you an edge. How to turn disrespect into leverage in high-stakes negotiations. Why 70% of mergers fail — and how culture and respect could save them. How to walk away from deals (and jobs) that don’t honor your values. Whether you’re negotiating in business, leadership, or your personal life, this episode will change how you see respect — not as a weakness, but as the ultimate power move. Connect with Marcy Syms marcysyms.com Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn negotiateanything.com Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!