What do you think?
Rate this book
The Power of NO, Negotiating Secrets the Pros Don't Want You to Know by Jim Camp
CD Version - 6 CDs & PDF Transcript
Fearlessly ask for what you want and easily get it in any negotiation using the power of NO!
It's a simple fact: You are negotiating, or being negotiated with, all the time. If you're not actively participating in that process - or if you're using the old, ineffective guidelines and strategies we were all raised with - then you're NOT getting all you can and should get. In The Power of NO, world-renowned negotiation coach Jim Camp gives you his proven step-by-step system for structured, comfortable, compromise-free negotiation that will empower you to successfully get everything you want in every agreement you make.
The product of 25 years of research, development, and testing, this system based on solid, proven neuroscientific information about how the human mind reacts, processes information, and makes decisions.
In The Power of NO, you'll discover:
*The six words to say - at the very start of a negotiation - that will instantly shift the power balance in YOUR favor.
*How to eliminate negotiation fear and anxiety forever
*The one and only thing that will influence your adversaries
*The number of times you should ask a question
*The sentence to say when someone gives you negative feedback
*The greatest weakness in any negotiation (and how to make it your greatest strength.)
*The 6-point checklist for a successful negotiation
*And SO MUCH MORE
Imagine walking into your next negotiation knowing exactly what's going to happen, from the moment you sit down until the moment you walk out the door. Imagine feeling 100% comfortable and totally fearless throughout the entire process. Imagine never having to resort to a fallback position, concede anything, or compromise on any of what you want.
Fearlessly ask for what you want and easily get it in any negotiation using the power of NO!
It's a simple fact: You are negotiating, or being negotiated with, all the time. If you're not actively participating in that process - or if you're using the old, ineffective guidelines and strategies we were all raised with - then you're NOT getting all you can and should get. In The Power of NO, world-renowned negotiation coach Jim Camp gives you his proven step-by-step system for structured, comfortable, compromise-free negotiation that will empower you to successfully get everything you want in every agreement you make.
The product of 25 years of research, development, and testing, this system based on solid, proven neuroscientific information about how the human mind reacts, processes information, and makes decisions.
In The Power of NO, you'll discover:
*The six words to say - at the very start of a negotiation - that will instantly shift the power balance in YOUR favor.
*How to eliminate negotiation fear and anxiety forever
*The one and only thing that will influence your adversaries
*The number of times you should ask a question
*The sentence to say when someone gives you negative feedback
*The greatest weakness in any negotiation (and how to make it your greatest strength.)
*The 6-point checklist for a successful negotiation
*And SO MUCH MORE
Imagine walking into your next negotiation knowing exactly what's going to happen, from the moment you sit down until the moment you walk out the door. Imagine feeling 100% comfortable and totally fearless throughout the entire process. Imagine never having to resort to a fallback position, concede anything, or compromise on any of what you want.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2007
35 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 28, 2010
There may be a few gems of negotiating in here, but you'd be far better off reading Zig Zigler's book. The writing is horrid; repeating the same words and thoughts over and over again. What's worse, there is nothing new here! The basic philosophy is the same as any negotiation tactic. Actually, parts are worse. When he started talking about giving minimal information to everyone (he may have just meant don't share information unless it helps you in the negotiation) is a great way to bring distrust to certain situations. One size does not fit all and simplistic books with poorly presented concepts don't help.
I could not even come close to finishing this book. I skimmed the last hundred-ish pages. I can tell you that some of his charts also come right out of 90s era art of persuasion tomes too.
Finally, it's pretty obvious this book is written in a US centric world view. In today's global village, this simply is not going to cut it.
I could not even come close to finishing this book. I skimmed the last hundred-ish pages. I can tell you that some of his charts also come right out of 90s era art of persuasion tomes too.
Finally, it's pretty obvious this book is written in a US centric world view. In today's global village, this simply is not going to cut it.
November 24, 2021
Go read Never Split the Difference, don’t waste your time with this one, here is why:
1. Voss worked as a negotiator, Camp did not
2. Voss’ examples are more clear, concrete and interesting
3. This book is not well organized and sections do not flow well together
4. This book does not give clear tactics though it does give some strategies
Note: the checklists at the end are somewhat helpful.
1. Voss worked as a negotiator, Camp did not
2. Voss’ examples are more clear, concrete and interesting
3. This book is not well organized and sections do not flow well together
4. This book does not give clear tactics though it does give some strategies
Note: the checklists at the end are somewhat helpful.
February 20, 2009
Gets bogged down a bit with ideas like mission and agendas which seem to be the author's own idiosyncratic way of conceptualizing the world and which he doesn't really expand on enough for me to understand. This is without my having read the first book though. But I really like the premise enough just by itself. Think of "Getting to Yes" and then think of the opposite. The idea is that when both parties feel comfortable saying "no," you get real answers to questions--rather than everyone frequently saying "yes" and not meaning it or "maybe" which is just as bad--which ultimately gets both parties what they need.
September 18, 2019
First half of the book had interesting insights. Nothing earth shattering, but solid tactics to implement. The last half of the book was repetition from the first half and not worth the read.
November 26, 2024
Well written with lots of great examples and advice. *audiobook
March 4, 2023
Will read again.
Lots of great notes and applicable take-aways.
It opens, and repeats frequently, to decrease and eliminate neediness.
In theory I agree with this.
That said, when starting a business, endeavour, etc., nearly every sale can be needed.
It would take some real intentionality to have such an extremely tight budget where every sale was not needed. It is achievable, but one would need to go into it with that mindset and have enough saved ahead of time and/or enough diversified income sources to not be "needy".
And I agree with that mindset - the book almost could have spent an opening chapter on that aspect and mindset alone. He discusses "neediness" compared to true needs (shelter, food, etc.) vs. perceived personal value from others. But again, every sale can make the difference between food and shelter bills or not, especially when starting out.
A lot of other helpful applicable mindsets, views, and applicable action items and notes.
Lots of great notes and applicable take-aways.
It opens, and repeats frequently, to decrease and eliminate neediness.
In theory I agree with this.
That said, when starting a business, endeavour, etc., nearly every sale can be needed.
It would take some real intentionality to have such an extremely tight budget where every sale was not needed. It is achievable, but one would need to go into it with that mindset and have enough saved ahead of time and/or enough diversified income sources to not be "needy".
And I agree with that mindset - the book almost could have spent an opening chapter on that aspect and mindset alone. He discusses "neediness" compared to true needs (shelter, food, etc.) vs. perceived personal value from others. But again, every sale can make the difference between food and shelter bills or not, especially when starting out.
A lot of other helpful applicable mindsets, views, and applicable action items and notes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2021
I would recommend this one! Yes it is commercial and shallow at times but makes some good points. Especially if you sit with negotiation all day.
June 21, 2011
Like so many self help/business improvement books takes too long to say what could be said in a few pages. Horrible writing style!
September 29, 2025
★★★★ A Game-Changer in Negotiation and Beyond
Jim Camp’s No: The Only Negotiating System You’ll Ever Need isn’t simply a book about striking deals—it’s a blueprint for how to think, communicate, and use time wisely in every area of life. Unlike the typical “win–win” or “always say yes” approaches, Camp flips the script: the power is in saying No.
The biggest shift is rejecting the pressure of chasing agreement. By allowing the other party to say no, you remove fear, reduce tension, and open up real dialogue. In any negotiation, invite no—ask, “Would it be a bad idea if…?” to give the other person control and lower resistance.
Camp stresses clarity: before negotiating, know why you are there and what you stand for. This mission anchors you when the conversation gets tough. Write a short mission statement before meetings to stay focused and avoid being swayed by emotion or tactics.
The myth of “win–win” makes you chase approval and compromise unnecessarily. Instead, focus on the problem that needs solving. Eliminate language like “let’s meet in the middle.” Replace it with, “How do we solve this problem?”
Camp’s system relies on asking good questions—ones that clarify the other party’s needs, limits, and assumptions. Prepare a list of open-ended questions before negotiations. Avoid leading or yes/no questions that box you in.
One of the book’s surprising strengths is how it ties negotiation principles to productivity. Camp insists on valuing time—your most precious resource—by cutting short wasted meetings, focusing only on what matters, and not rushing to close. Schedule negotiations with strict start/end times. Don’t fill silences with chatter—let the other party use the time, not you.
Don’t fall into the trap of “neediness.” Instead of pushing your agenda, help the other side visualise the consequences of their choices. Frame your questions so they paint a clear picture of what happens if no agreement is reached.
Camp’s approach is refreshingly counterintuitive. It’s not about being aggressive—it’s about being disciplined, calm, and anchored in purpose. His emphasis on productivity and using time wisely elevates this beyond a book on deals; it’s a manual for life.
I found the tips on valuing silence, setting clear boundaries on time, and rejecting the false comfort of “win–win” particularly eye-opening. The book is full of simple, practical steps that can be applied immediately, whether you’re negotiating a contract, running a meeting, or even managing family decisions.
A must-read if you want to sharpen your negotiation skills, reclaim your time, and stop chasing hollow “yeses.” Truly the only negotiation system you’ll ever need.
Jim Camp’s No: The Only Negotiating System You’ll Ever Need isn’t simply a book about striking deals—it’s a blueprint for how to think, communicate, and use time wisely in every area of life. Unlike the typical “win–win” or “always say yes” approaches, Camp flips the script: the power is in saying No.
The biggest shift is rejecting the pressure of chasing agreement. By allowing the other party to say no, you remove fear, reduce tension, and open up real dialogue. In any negotiation, invite no—ask, “Would it be a bad idea if…?” to give the other person control and lower resistance.
Camp stresses clarity: before negotiating, know why you are there and what you stand for. This mission anchors you when the conversation gets tough. Write a short mission statement before meetings to stay focused and avoid being swayed by emotion or tactics.
The myth of “win–win” makes you chase approval and compromise unnecessarily. Instead, focus on the problem that needs solving. Eliminate language like “let’s meet in the middle.” Replace it with, “How do we solve this problem?”
Camp’s system relies on asking good questions—ones that clarify the other party’s needs, limits, and assumptions. Prepare a list of open-ended questions before negotiations. Avoid leading or yes/no questions that box you in.
One of the book’s surprising strengths is how it ties negotiation principles to productivity. Camp insists on valuing time—your most precious resource—by cutting short wasted meetings, focusing only on what matters, and not rushing to close. Schedule negotiations with strict start/end times. Don’t fill silences with chatter—let the other party use the time, not you.
Don’t fall into the trap of “neediness.” Instead of pushing your agenda, help the other side visualise the consequences of their choices. Frame your questions so they paint a clear picture of what happens if no agreement is reached.
Camp’s approach is refreshingly counterintuitive. It’s not about being aggressive—it’s about being disciplined, calm, and anchored in purpose. His emphasis on productivity and using time wisely elevates this beyond a book on deals; it’s a manual for life.
I found the tips on valuing silence, setting clear boundaries on time, and rejecting the false comfort of “win–win” particularly eye-opening. The book is full of simple, practical steps that can be applied immediately, whether you’re negotiating a contract, running a meeting, or even managing family decisions.
A must-read if you want to sharpen your negotiation skills, reclaim your time, and stop chasing hollow “yeses.” Truly the only negotiation system you’ll ever need.
June 3, 2020
Jim Camp's No system was recommended to me by some people who are leaders in their fields and after reading it, I can see why they hold No in such high regard. More experienced negotiators will probably find some parts of this book to almost be too obvious to be mentioned, but therein lies the trick: effective decision-making is all about staying on top of the fundamentals. Where some take issue with the repetition of the foundational principles of Camp's negotiation system, others will understand that to become a master in any field, one must first come to know its fundamentals back and forth until they become second nature. Ignore the pooh-poohing in some of the reviews here. The information in this book is gold and you'll do well to apply it, regardless of how apparent it may seem at first.
June 10, 2023
3/5! Listened to this one. It had great information and coaching tools for negotiation. It was (predictably) very directed towards sales but the examples and information would be able to be applied to any place you were to negotiate and it said as much. It was very in line with what I was expecting and looking for in the book.
The structure of the book was quite disjointed and made it difficult to follow along. It was very repetitive, (which I think was the point of it considering his coaching & tools). Similar sentences and examples were used to make the same point over and over. It made it easy to zone out, and when I did I would rejoin hearing the same information as I did 20 minutes prior. It was definitely too long, I think I could have got the same information out of half the time.
The structure of the book was quite disjointed and made it difficult to follow along. It was very repetitive, (which I think was the point of it considering his coaching & tools). Similar sentences and examples were used to make the same point over and over. It made it easy to zone out, and when I did I would rejoin hearing the same information as I did 20 minutes prior. It was definitely too long, I think I could have got the same information out of half the time.
May 26, 2019
I bought this book based on the ratings from the other reviewers.
I was disappointed.
If you are brand-new to negotiations, then it doesn't matter very much which book you read first. Every book will tell you things like it's important to get as much information as you can, because this can aid your negotiation. If you didn't know that, this book will tell you.
This book is not terrible. Some of the points about the importance of keeping oneself somewhat detached emotionally, were rather well-written. Overall, however, the content-to-fluff ratio was quite low.
If you read Secrets of Power Negotiating you will be amply rewarded for your time. If you read this book, you'll invest a lot of time and get back little in return.
I was disappointed.
If you are brand-new to negotiations, then it doesn't matter very much which book you read first. Every book will tell you things like it's important to get as much information as you can, because this can aid your negotiation. If you didn't know that, this book will tell you.
This book is not terrible. Some of the points about the importance of keeping oneself somewhat detached emotionally, were rather well-written. Overall, however, the content-to-fluff ratio was quite low.
If you read Secrets of Power Negotiating you will be amply rewarded for your time. If you read this book, you'll invest a lot of time and get back little in return.
January 1, 2020
4.6/5 - This book is a f*cking masterpiece - I’m purchasing it, and going to work through it chapter by chapter like a textbook, applying it directly to my current professional pursuits. I know I’m pretty good with people, sales, and conversations, but the tools in this book have the potential to bring one from an intermediate to an expert in a big way in all these areas. I’ve worked in sales for a number of years now, and this book clarified and confirmed a few feelings I’ve had rattling around in my gut for a while related to closing and other sales practices. It was like a relief reading this book, calling out certain bullshit, and replacing it with rock solid systems. Love.
April 2, 2022
I expected this book to be one of those that's just a single simple idea which was fully explained on the cover + 8 hours of anecdotes, but no
There's a surprising amount of substance to this, maybe 60% that I found interesting. Would recommend
There's a surprising amount of substance to this, maybe 60% that I found interesting. Would recommend
November 26, 2017
Interesting read for a non sales person. Certainly gave me some things to think about.
December 3, 2017
It's one of the best insights into personal communication I've ever read about.
February 2, 2020
Excellent negotiation book. One of the best ones I've ever read apart from Start With The No. Counterintuitive to the typical way of negotiation, which makes it extremely interesting.
July 25, 2021
Great advice on a counter-intuitive mindset that benefits everyone.
August 8, 2021
I mixed the notes from this book in with my never split the difference book.
September 9, 2023
6 out of 10
February 11, 2019
Книга с подвохом. Сначала кажется одной из типичных методичек с банальными советами, но потом раскрывается букетом точечных практических сочетов. Именно тот случай когда автор долго запрягает, но он того стоит.
В целом, она не про умение говорить нет, а про умение оценивать обстановку, понимать свои цели, удерживать на них фокус и маневрировать для их достижения.
Эмоции и крайности - плохо, выдержка, хладнокровие, расчет и анализ ситуации - хорошо. Не набивай шишки на лбу перед алтарем компромиссов - защищай свои интересы и инвестиции. Не трясись от собственных предположений и ожиданий - будь чистым листом. Задавай открытые вопросы, скармливай оппоненту свои ключевые тезисы как ушлый сеошник - запросы Гуглу. Не бойся делать подсечки излишним эмоциям. Создавай видение, а не нудные презентации. Веди бортовой журнал, чтобы ничего не упускать и учиться на ошибках. В общем, паря/девуня, evolve, adapt, overcome.
Если это ваша первая книга в таком жанре - вам, скорее, всего зайдет. Если нет - что ж, освежите знания и переговорные софт скиллы.
Прочесть, однозначно, стоит.
В целом, она не про умение говорить нет, а про умение оценивать обстановку, понимать свои цели, удерживать на них фокус и маневрировать для их достижения.
Эмоции и крайности - плохо, выдержка, хладнокровие, расчет и анализ ситуации - хорошо. Не набивай шишки на лбу перед алтарем компромиссов - защищай свои интересы и инвестиции. Не трясись от собственных предположений и ожиданий - будь чистым листом. Задавай открытые вопросы, скармливай оппоненту свои ключевые тезисы как ушлый сеошник - запросы Гуглу. Не бойся делать подсечки излишним эмоциям. Создавай видение, а не нудные презентации. Веди бортовой журнал, чтобы ничего не упускать и учиться на ошибках. В общем, паря/девуня, evolve, adapt, overcome.
Если это ваша первая книга в таком жанре - вам, скорее, всего зайдет. Если нет - что ж, освежите знания и переговорные софт скиллы.
Прочесть, однозначно, стоит.
November 23, 2020
A few interesting notes on corporate negotiations, seasoned by tonnes of unnecessary text. In 2020 it would be just a good article on Medium
April 13, 2012
Again a great book on negotiation. A quick read although I found his first book had useful stories that made understanding how he does what he does easier to understand. This book, may be more or less enjoyable based on your own bias.
His first book goes into more depth about many issues, that this book presents in a somewhat briefer form. This book was edited in a way to streamline it. Both are good...buy either and you will be quite pleased.
His first book goes into more depth about many issues, that this book presents in a somewhat briefer form. This book was edited in a way to streamline it. Both are good...buy either and you will be quite pleased.
August 19, 2009
"Is a win-win or a draw outcome acceptable to you? If you don't think so, then this book is for you. Jim Camp skillfully presents a different system of negotiation where, as Jim says, the negotiation begins with "No." Great reading and one I highly recommend."
August 15, 2016
Jim Camp puts forth a terrific negotiating system, though he neglects to address how to proceed when the other party—as often happens—takes your “no” as a final stance. What do you do when they fail to understand the dance of negotiations?
June 7, 2011
I enjoyed this book. It definitely puts a new perspective on the word "no" and has already helped improve my negotiation skills.
November 15, 2015
231 - 2013
December 18, 2016
Книжка интересная, но на практике я наверное никогда это не использовал.
January 11, 2015
Обязательная к прочтению всем.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews