Are win-win situations/negotiations always fair? Based on some statement of a book (the 7 habits of highly effective people), a friend told me that every win-win negotiation implies that the outcome is fair for both parts, and that fairness was a basic pillar for win-win negotiations. I argued that win-win situations imply maximizing the outcome for both parts, but don't necessarily need to be fair. Could anyone give me an explanation or an example to clarify that? **[Edit]** About people asking what's the definition of fair, I would say: _Agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable_. (source)

Fair is in the perception of the beholder. Win-win negotiations assume that mutual goals have been exploited to the degree possible, mutually benefiting both parties, and the relatively fair concessions were made by both parties on those goals that are not mutual. And, finally, it assumes the deal was better than your alternative, your BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement). If these conditions were met, the deal is objectively fair no matter the walk away perception of any one of the parties. That said, the walk away should be consistent with the actual fairness of the deal but that would depend on the negotiator's personality and disposition.