Whether you're negotiating a salary, a deal with a supplier, or a flexible work arrangement, you need to prepare. From knowing your ideal outcome to thinking through acceptable alternatives to considering the other person's perspective, advance planning can significantly increase your confidence, engagement in the process, and results. But advocating for yourself, your team, and your business can feel personal, too - so you also need to manage the emotions that arise during the process. Shake off the bleak research about women and negotiation, and clarify and communicate who you are and what you need in your business and in your relationships to increase your odds of a positive outcome. Thoughtful preparation can help you enter any negotiation with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to collaborate-all the essentials to seal a deal successfully.