56. How to negotiate when you think you have no leverage | Priyanka Upadhyay

Priyanka Upadhyay, aka Coach Pri, spent 18 years in tech (Google, Salesforce, ServiceNow) before founding Product With Pri, a coaching and training business for product managers navigating job searches, transitions, and high-stakes career conversations. She's also an ICF-certified coach who's taught PM programs at Stanford and Product School, and now runs intimate small group cohorts for PMs looking to level up in their careers.In this episode, we got into the negotiation mindset traps that costs product managers money, why companies aren't actually optimizing for the cheapest hire, and how Pri negotiated her way through various situations in her life, from a grade dispute when she was attending Columbia Business School and a divorce mediation. Our conversation touches on the immigrant experience, the psychology of leverage, the importance of knowing what you're actually negotiating for, and the role of creative thinking when you think you have no options.• Why negotiation is underrated, and why most candidates don't use the support they already have• The "beggars can't be choosers" mindset and how exhaustion from a long job search quietly erodes your leverage• Why companies aren't optimizing for the cheapest hire, and what signaling strong self-advocacy actually communicates• Information gathering as the core of negotiation: understanding urgency, goals, and what the other side needs before you make any ask• Showing enthusiasm alongside your ask, and why that positioning matters for both top-choice and backup candidates• Getting clear on what you're actually negotiating for (base, flexibility, speed, impact) and why that has to come firstConnect with Coach Pri:• Pri’s website: https://www.coachpri.com• PM Skills Quiz - https://www.coachpri.com/pm-quiz• Pri’s newsletter: https://productwithpri.beehiiv.com (for experienced PMs who want to grow their career & amplify their impact)• Book free 15-min career strategy session with Coach Pri: https://www.coachpri.com/career-brainstorm-callFor more:• Book free consultation call with Alex: https://calendly.com/alexhapki/call• Get our free negotiation worksheet: https://www.yournegotiations.com• Read our weekly newsletter: https://yournegotiations.kit.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yournegotiations• Gerta's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gertamalaj• Alex's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhapki