I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with this as a steadfast maxim. I think overall your statement fits maybe even 75% of negotiations but many do not fit this mol

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with this as a steadfast maxim. I think overall your statement fits maybe even 75% of negotiations but many do not fit this mold. Overall, your BATNA (and your counterparty's) is the most important factor in the negotiation. Numbers can certainly go up, especially with changes in your BATNA. Case in point: "I've just received a higher offer; I would accept yours if you could match it + $10k." People post articles on HN all the time talking about how they get companies to outbid each other. More important than "never giving the number first" is being steadfast in what you want (within realistic bounds). I have followed both styles but haven't been penalized by starting with the number first. If you're the best candidate, the company will pay what you insist on. Otherwise, the "never giving the number first" was never going to work to begin with.