Introduction
In the world of entrepreneurship, many celebrate the moment a deal is signed as if it's the ultimate victory. But the truth is far more nuanced. Signing is just a formality; what precedes it is where the real success lies. This idea is captured in my personal quote
"A successful deal isn’t the one you sign, it’s the one you’re proud you negotiated
In this article, I’ll unpack the philosophy behind this statement and explain why I believe negotiation not just the result is the core of a truly successful deal
1. Why Signing Doesn’t Equal Success
The signing moment may look like an achievement, but
You might be signing out of pressure or urgency.
You may have compromised on strategic decisions or long-term control.
You could be agreeing to terms you don’t fully understand
A signature doesn’t tell the story of a good deal. It only confirms that you agreed
2. Negotiation Reflects Your Leadership Identity
The way you negotiate says everything about you as a founder or business leader :
Were you clear about your priorities ?
Did you stay true to your values ?
Were you flexible without losing leverage ?
Did you leave the table feeling confident and respected ?
If you can answer “yes,” then you didn’t just make a deal you built a story worth telling
3. Being Proud of the Process Means You Won Smart, Not Hard
Negotiation isn’t about conflict; it’s about intelligent alignment. It’s built on :
Understanding the other party’s motives
Managing emotions and pressure strategically
Establishing mutual trust for long-term cooperation
Most importantly, it’s about striking a balance between your interests and theirs When you’re proud of the negotiation, what you’re really saying is: “I didn’t lose myself to win this deal
4. A Well-Negotiated Deal Is the One That Lasts
Because you entered it with
Awareness and clarity
Transparent, fair terms
A foundation of mutual respect and intention
Bad deals collapse even after they’re signed.
But well-negotiated deals stand the test of time, because they were built on substance, not urgency
5. Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Chase Quick Wins
They chase:
Sustainable partnerships
Strategic alignment
Deals that support their vision, not restrict it
So if you want to be a leader worth following, don’t just aim to get to the signature Strive to walk away knowing you shaped the deal not that the deal shaped you
Final Thoughts
A successful deal isn’t just a document with two signatures.
It’s the outcome of a negotiation where you were present, intentional, and strategic.
So make every deal you walk out of one that you can proudly say:
"Yes, I signed it and I’m proud I negotiated it