What if the habits meant to make you sound agreeable are actually weakening your authority?

Victoria Nelson left a toxic family environment in Russia at 18 with approximately $500 and a bag of clothes. After rebuilding her life in London, she entered the fashion photography industry, managed demanding personalities and eventually secured work that included a GQ cover. Years later, as a working mother without a completed bachelor’s degree, she challenged another perceived limitation by studying negotiation through programs at Harvard and Columbia.

Today, Victoria is the founder of Power of the Ask, advising leaders and professionals on negotiation, executive communication and conflict under pressure.

In this conversation with Joey Pinz, Victoria explains why negotiation is not limited to salaries and contracts—it shapes how people perceive, trust and respond to us every day. She reveals why over-explaining can undermine authority, how written preparation improves important conversations and why avoiding conflict allows problems to grow.

🌟 Top 3 Highlights:

✈️ Turning disadvantages into advantages: How being a young immigrant woman helped Victoria build relationships and enter rooms that initially appeared inaccessible.

📝 Preparing a powerful ask: Define your ideal outcome, walk-away point, concessions and the other party’s priorities before negotiating.

🤝 Using conflict productively: Addressing tension can strengthen relationships, while avoidance allows unresolved problems to spread.

Victoria also shares why she schedules everything—including lunch, reflection and time with her husband—and how structure gives her greater freedom.