Cutting Deals

High-stakes deals can feel like a balancing act, juggling timelines, personalities, and unforeseen obstacles. Sometimes, the right move isn’t about pushing harder but about understanding the flow, adjusting your approach, and knowing when to step back.

This week, we’re diving into decision-making under pressure—how to frame situations correctly, create momentum, and recognize when it's time to wait. Plus, a special event you should have on your radar and a quick hit on executive performance.

Agenda:

• The Right Cutlery for the Job – How to identify the right approach for each deal.

• Events & Insights – What’s happening in your industry.

• Quick Hits – Executive briefings on AI, longevity, and media you should consume

⏲️ Estimated read time 7 minutes.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here. Also if you’re reading this as a subscriber and know somebody that would enjoy feel free to share. (Referral program down below)

Making moves in high pressure situations

Last week, I was invited to a dinner at Sartiano’s in Soho. The invite was from Directive, a group that elevates/fuels b2b marketers across a variety of industries, with the focus being on Growth leaders.

Curated, intimate dinners are a fantastic hook and wonderful way to build organic relationships before any deal, especially because human to human connection is the key ingredient for getting deals done in a world heavily driven by screens, AI, slack, Whatsapp, Instagram, Tik Tok, CRM, Linkedin, Strava, etc etc etc (is anyone else exhausted just by saying all of those out loud?)

Back to the dinner. As I was navigating my way through the gentrified Brooklyn streets into the glossy Soho night, deals all around me were blowing up. Most of these I had been working for greater than 6 months. Each at the end of the finish line, each with a key problem that was being solved for, each verbally committed on both sides.

As I was watching things fall apart on all of channels mentioned above, I was further getting wrapped in a fever of confusion and delirium from the pure chaos of the moment.

Luckily, I sat beside an incredible gentleman. He reminded me of my old friend Kirk and we instantly took to each other. The more we talked, the more I was reminded:

Managing deals under pressure is a metaphor for life. If you’re reading this, there is a massive chance you are currently involved in some sort of deal that’s going to get you closer to your desired state. And that deal probably requires a next move.

If you’re stuck on what the next move is in a high pressure situation, perhaps it’s as simple as asking yourself whether you need a fork, a knife, a spoon, a combination, or nothing at all.

1) What am I Eating

Have you ever tried to eat Ice Cream with a fork? Or soup with a knife? If somehow that’s what you actually do, first bravo, and second, how?

Yet if you were eating Pad Thai with a Fork, and soup with a spoon, you’d actually be able to consume them very well. Similar to deciding what piece of cutlery to use based on the piece of food in front of you, you need to quickly understand and Identify what you’re “eating” and “frame” the situation.

a) Take a breath, zoom out, asset the moment

b) Ask yourself what the true underlying factors preventing the deal from moving forward could be

c) Ask yourself if those are controllable or un-controllables

d) Figure out what the most amount of time you have for the “solve

2) How Do I Eat It?

Now that I understand I’m eating the ice cream, what’s the motion that needs to happen for me to “keep eating the ice cream”

You see, it’s not as simple as filling one spoonful up, especially if it’s a hot summer day and that ice cream is melting right on your spoon. You thought it was going well and you had time, but the sunshine is turning it into a slippery, sticky mess all over your fingers and… beard:)

Similarly, in every high pressure situation/deal, there isn’t just one action you must take, there is a motion you must create-a sequence of actions that enable to you predict and influence not only the next step, but the step after that.

Create a positive momentum loop by getting confirmation on something small, something that shows you are both on the same page and that it’s still a mutually beneficial partnership

• Reduce the friction that often times comes along with decision making, how can I make this as easy as possible for you in this moment.

• Truncate the “change management” As big decisions loom closer, the work required to actually get to the desired state becomes a larger weight to bear. Reassure the human on the other end of the line of how ready your teams are to get moving and that the pain of change will be necessary because of the riches on the other side.

  

  Some pictures from the dinner

3) Decide When You’re Full

I used to love Mandarin Buffet growing up as a kid. I’d dream of going there knowing that I would have the ability to pick anything I could possibly fathom, and still have room left over for… you nailed it, Ice Cream. I knew I had time on my side, and I could stay there for hours if I wanted.

But at a certain point, I got full. Regardless of how many plates I ate, how much I loosened my belt, or attacked the endeavor (salad to soup first, or ice cream first then soup?) I eventually couldn’t eat any more.

Perhaps timing has changed based on internal organizational challenges. Perhaps there is personal emergency their family, they may have won the lottery.

Maybe you’ve done all you can and now you need some good old fashioned paciencia. If you’ve gotten this far into the situation, you’ve done many things right-being still and knowing when the situation is ‘full’ is a huge skillset.

If you remember NOTHING ELSE from this newsletter, remember the following: In high pressure situations:

1) Assess the situation and remove yourself emotionally to the best of your ability

2) Think two steps ahead and create a motion of influence

3) Know when to pull back and trust in what’s gotten you there.

Or just think about spoons, forks & knives.

Events you need to attend

🚀 Science in the City 2025: The Future of Medical Cannabis in France! 🍷🌱

Big things are happening in Bordeaux this October! After making history as France’s first-ever medical cannabis conference—featured in Forbes, no less—Science in the City International is back and bigger than ever.

A one-of-a-kind, full day of immersion encompassing elements of lifestyle and medicine that speak directly to all medical communities at large. They are offering continuing education on integrative and functional medicine, experts actively practicing in plant based research and scientific presentations on outcomes, healthcare provider health and wellness, practice design, tech, fashion, music and more! If you want to attend tickets are here, if you want to sponsor reach out and I’ll connect you!

📅 Champagne Reception @ InterContinental Bordeaux France
📅 Main Conference @ La Cité du Vin France

This female-led event is THE place to connect, learn, and shape the future of cannabis innovation. Secure your spot now—sponsorships and tickets are moving fast!

🔗 Join us here

🤖 AI’s executive Briefing

AI Change Management: A Leadership Playbook

The rapid rise of AI is reshaping business, and leaders must navigate this shift strategically. Lessons from the tech industry offer key takeaways for effective change management:

• Invest in Learning – AI demands continuous up-skilling. Equip teams to adapt and collaborate effectively.

• Embrace Agility – Traditional change models won’t cut it. Agile approaches help organizations pivot fast.

• Lead with Transparency – AI can spark uncertainty. Open communication builds trust and alignment.

• Align AI with Strategy – Every AI initiative should serve business goals, not just chase trends.

By taking a proactive, human-centered approach, executives can turn AI disruption into a competitive advantage.

🧘 Longevity

While creatine is renowned for enhancing athletic performance, its benefits extend into realms crucial for executives and leaders. Here's how incorporating creatine has helped me.

• Enhanced Cognitive Function: Creatine supplementation has been linked to improved memory and intelligence, particularly in individuals under stress or sleep deprivation.

• Increased Energy Production: By boosting ATP levels, creatine enhances energy availability, supporting sustained mental and physical performance. ​

• Reduced Fatigue: Supplementation has been associated with decreased fatigue and tiredness, contributing to sustained productivity. ​

Integrating creatine into your routine could provide the mental edge and energy resilience necessary for high-stakes decision-making and leadership endurance.

What are your thoughts on creatine have you thought about taking it? Do you know what it is?

Have you enjoyed this newsletter? Is it providing value? Do you know somebody that would find it useful? Send them this newsletter and if you refer 5 people your next coffee run will be on me. (3 referrals = $15 Starbucks)

As the world becomes more complex, it becomes more and more challenging to stay grounded, focused and aligned. Stay ahead by fostering unity, innovation, and trust across your teams and yourself. Don’t miss out on upcoming events and insights that will help shape your success in the months to come.

- SKV