FACT: Over 40% of U.S. workers don’t feel confident in their negotiation skills, data from LinkedIn shows.

1. Go into situations – a pitch, a job interview, a performance review – knowing what you want. Create a list of what’s most important as well as your deal-breakers.

2. Prepare for objections by doing your research. If you’re haggling over price, have a clear understanding of what others are charging. Having good info will keep you from getting defensive or overly emotional.

3. Be willing to walk away. “When you’re willing to do that, something happens. A nonverbal communication takes place and the client notices it,” says negotiation expert Ed Brodow. “If you’re desperate to make the sale, you’ll do anything. Instead, think to yourself, ‘XYZ is what I need for this to be a successful sale.’”

4. Listen more and talk less. Don’t be the one to jump in and fill a moment of awkward silence. Instead, let whoever you’re negotiating with make an offer so you can counter.

5. Remember that the best negotiations don’t have clear winners. If you pull one over on someone, they’ll be less likely to work with you in the future.