17. Why Negotiations Are Never About Money with Betsy Pearce

Enoughness with Lisa Carmen Wang

Success is almost never a straight path. In fact, the things we think we want - money, fame, power - are rarely the things that actually make us happy. Today’s guest, Betsy Pearce, hailed as as one of the most powerful people in fashion, has been the legal deal-maker for top fashion icons like Carolina Herrera and Alexander McQueen, the creative directors for Bottega Veneta, Nina Ricci, and Dior Homme and more. When it comes to the types of high-stakes negotiations she deals with, she says the biggest mistake people make is thinking that it’s just about the money. It’s usually not about the money, it’s about proving someone wrong. Ego, emotion, loneliness, or rejection all play a part. As such, she wants us to get comfortable with the idea that sometimes, we don’t know what we don’t know. We learn by taking steps, and when we realize they aren’t the right ones, it’s okay to ask for help. Studies have shown that happiness often stems from a sense of community and being needed. However, there is no reason for us to wait for people to need us. It’s okay to ask for help when we need it, and to offer help to those around us. Courage is the ability to open up about what you you really need to get where you want to go. Happiness comes from realizing that the journey itself doesn’t need to be taken alone. Some Questions I Ask: Where do you think the desire to prove others wrong comes from? (04:07) Success isn’t clearly defined for creatives - how have you seen some of the more prominent creatives you’ve worked with navigate this? (11:13) Outside of money, what are other priorities that people mistake as the thing they should be focused on? (13:04) Have you ever found it hard to ask for help? (14:03) What is it like going into rooms to negotiate with larger corporates that don’t have the same mentality of collaboration? (24:31) What are the biggest mistakes you’ve seen people make in negotiations? (27:25) What do you think about the idea of finding your purpose? (39:34) In This Episode, You Will Learn: Betsy’s ties to the Midwest and how her roots shape her life today (01:55) How being bitten by a dog in her face helped Betsy realize what matters in life (6:00) How Betsy’s athletic career shaped her outlook on teamwork and women supporting women (07:45) The importance of community in creating internal happiness (13:38) Why achievement doesn’t guarantee happiness (14:39) The difficulty in admitting to needing help (16:08) The things Betsy feels would have been easier if she had a mentor (19:50) How self worth turns into a dollar amount (28:49) The passion behind empowering women in creative-driven industries (35:05) Plus much more... Links and Resources: Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam Secrets of the Flesh: A Life of Colette by JUDITH THURMAN More about Betsy Pearce in Gotham Magazine Alexander Mcqueen Bottega Vanetta Kate Spade Vera Wang Jimmy Choo Bergdorf Goodman The Carlisle Group Follow Lisa on Twitter Follow Lisa on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/enoughness-lisa-wang/support