Contracting delays are not always caused by difficult language or complex legal issues. Negotiations often stall because of misaligned expectations, ineffective communication, stakeholder friction, or a failure to understand what truly matters to the other side. This session focuses on the interpersonal and strategic skills that help successful negotiators build trust, manage conflict, understand counterpart risk tolerance, and keep discussions moving toward resolution. Through practical examples and real-world negotiation scenarios, attendees will learn techniques for navigating challenging conversations, preventing unnecessary escalation, and creating collaborative relationships that shorten contracting timelines without sacrificing key protections. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies they can immediately apply to accelerate negotiations and achieve better outcomes for all parties involved.