Negotiation:

"true leverage in any negotiation—whether it's buying a car, closing a business deal, or even navigating personal relationships—comes from having viable alternatives. If you're genuinely willing and able to abandon the discussion without regret, you're not desperate, which prevents the other party from exploiting your neediness. "Meaning it" is key: it's not a bluff or a tactic to manipulate; it's an authentic stance rooted in self-assurance and preparation. Bluffing can backfire if called out, but a real ability to walk away signals strength and forces the other side to reconsider their position." "In practice, it means entering negotiations with a clear "walk-away point" (sometimes called a reservation price or minimum acceptable terms), beyond which the deal no longer serves you." "If the other party senses you're emotionally or financially invested (e.g., you must sell your house quickly), they can lowball or stall, knowing you'll cave."

"In adversarial settings ... this can even be weaponized respectfully: by gently pushing the other side toward their own walk-away point, you test boundaries without burning bridges, potentially reopening doors later."