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The No. 1 most underrated communication skill—it's a simple but 'powerful' technique that can save a conversation, says expert
Sometimes the most important skill is "knowing when not to say the thing you're about to say" and pivoting, says negotiation expert Kwame Christian.

TL;DR
- The '99% rule' states that one impulsive comment can ruin an entire deal or moment, even if the rest of the conversation was handled perfectly.
- Mastering the 'pull-back' involves stopping yourself mid-sentence and pivoting without appearing weak or scatter-brained.
- Phrases like 'Hold on, let me rephrase that' or 'Actually, let me say that in a different way' can help redirect the conversation.
- Reframing forward with intentional and productive messages, such as 'What I really want to understand is…', is key.
- Embracing awkwardness is better than causing irreparable damage to relationships, and practicing pivots can improve performance in crucial moments.