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Fight Less, Win More

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Most people don't realise they're negotiating until it's too late - until they've already lost ground, damaged relationships, or walked away empty-handed. But what if you could transform every interaction into an opportunity to get what you want while making others feel valued?

Fight Less, Win More offers an armoury of negotiation techniques and approaches that are both superbly practical and brilliantly effective. All have been exhaustively tried and tested in situations that range from high-stakes hostage crises to everyday business conversations. All are underpinned by the groundbreaking notion of Tactical Empathy: a means of understanding the motivations and preoccupations of others so that you can engage with them more effectively. Whether you’re negotiating a deal, seeking to defuse tension at work, or even trying to persuade a recalcitrant teenager, Fight Less, Win More will help you resolve conflicts faster, build stronger relationships – and achieve outcomes you never thought possible.

© Jonathan B. Smith and Derek Gaunt 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

Fight Less, Win More is a massively useful book for just about anyone who has to deal with the desires, foibles, and idiosyncrasies of other human beings. The authors’ framework turns conventional wisdom upside down: slow down to speed up, seek to understand before being understood, and make it about them instead of you. And the specific techniques will teach you how to listen - really listen - until the other person becomes your collaborator instead of your opponent.
Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of To Sell Is Human, Drive, and The Power of Regret
Fight Less, Win More is a powerful reminder that presence and intention can shift even the hardest conversations.
Jay Shetty, #1 New York Times bestselling author and host of the On Purpose podcast
Conflict is inevitable. Staying stuck in it isn’t. What I love about this book is how it reframes negotiation as an opportunity for connection and progress - not friction. Jonathan and Derek show you how to unlock doors by listening better, responding smarter, and leading with empathy. Every founder, every leader, every person should read it.
Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief, Entrepreneur Magazine
If you’re a founder, you’re always selling - ideas, vision, accountability. Fight Less, Win More gives you the exact framework to win those high-stakes conversations. No fluff. This isn’t theory it’s a tactical guide for anyone who needs people to say yes.
Ryan Hogan, cofounder and CEO, Talent Harbor, and founder, Hunt a Killer
Miscommunication isn’t just costly - it’s dangerous. In the world of intelligence and special operations, the difference between success and failure often comes down to communication under pressure. Fight Less, Win More arms you with that edge. Jonathan and Derek offer mission essential tools that help you build trust, de-escalate, influence, lead and operate - with precision and presence.”
Col. Chris Costa, retired former special assistant to the president, career intelligence officer, and executive director of the International Spy Museum
This book is a gift to every leader who’s ever walked out of a conversation thinking, ‘That didn’t go how I hoped.’ Fight Less, Win More gives you practical tools to create clarity, connection, and traction in every relationship. It’s a must-read for any team committed to trust and transparency.
Kelly Knight, integrator, EOS Worldwide
In business, the toughest moments aren’t always about the numbers—they’re about people. Fight Less, Win More is a playbook for those high-pressure conversations where relationships and results hang in the balance. Jonathan and Derek don’t just teach negotiation; they show you how to lead with empathy, create trust, and get to action faster. It’s practical, real, and exactly the kind of book you want your whole team reading.
Andrew Fried, commercial owner and CMO, Mint Mobile

Fight Less, Win More provides a masterful framework for multigenerational families to break through some of the most challenging conversations with clarity, empathy, vulnerability, and purpose. It’s an indispensable guide for families and their trusted advisors committed to achieving durable family harmony by leveraging the art of listening, the power of emotional intelligence, and the quiet strength of leading through
understanding.

Richard Wolkowitz, founder, Xylogenesis Family Office Advisory
Fight Less, Win More is more than a book about negotiation - it’s a guide to building trust and emotional connection. Jonathan and Derek demystify the path to creating enduring wins. A must-read for anyone committed to human-centered leadership.
Sanyin Siang, CEO advisor and Duke University professor
A brilliant book that will make you a better negotiator, but it is also a book that will make your day-to-day life a lot easier because, as we all learn, life is a negotiation.
John Miller, Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst CNN
Author Jonathan B. Smith, Derek Gaunt
Narrator Jonathan B. Smith
Duration 7 hours and 22 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781804963272
Format Audiobook
Publisher Cornerstone
Genre Advice on careers and achieving success, Business negotiation, Management: leadership and motivation, Soft skills and dealing with other people
Availability AU, GB, IE

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