Zuzanna Kościuk How to Negotiate?

Some people say conflict is a natural part of life. However true that might be, you’ll find that a better way to achieve what you want is to negotiatenegotiatenegotiate. In fact, you do that every day without even realising it. Whether it’s making plans with your friends, asking your boss for a day off, or talking your parents into letting you go to a party, you’re always aiming for that win‑win situationwin‑win situationwin‑win situation. How to go about it to get the best results?

2.1

First of all, you should have a clear goal in mind. What do you want to achieve by entering a negotiation? It’s crucialcrucialcrucial that you establishestablishestablish what success means for you, instead of focusing on what the other side will agree on. Otherwise, you might set the bar too lowset the bar too lowset the bar too low and come out of the negotiation unsatisfied. Always keep in mind what it is you’re aiming foraiming for [aim for sth]aiming for. This way, you’ll know when to walk away because your objectiveobjectiveobjective won’t be met.

2.2

Once that’s done, you should focus on creating an open and trusting atmosphere. Unlike bargainingbargaining [bargain]bargaining or hagglinghaggling [haggle]haggling, negotiation is all about both partiesparties [party]parties coming out satisfied. That’s why it’s vitalvitalvital to be honest about what you want, as well as open to learning what the other side desires. Establishing trust and mutual understandingmutual understandingmutual understanding is crucial for a win‑win situation. There’s also another reason why being open can aid you in the process. Should the debate go awrygo awrygo awry, you can always circle back tocircle back tocircle back to the original goal of the negotiation and remind everyone why you’re even discussing things in the first place.

2.3

You already know that negotiations ought to leave both parties contentleave both parties contentleave both parties content. To achieve that goal, you should be ready for a trade‑offtrade‑offtrade‑off. Think of the things you may do in exchange for getting what you want as well as what you’re willing to give up on to achieve your goal. However, be reasonable aboutbe reasonable aboutbe reasonable about it. Sometimes, the other side will agree to your terms in exchange for something that far outweighsoutweighs [outweigh]outweighs the perceived value ofperceived value ofperceived value of what you’re asking for. Always negotiate until you’re sure that both sides were treated fairly.

2.4

Finally, remember that even if you’re a great negotiatornegotiatornegotiator, the other side might be defensivedefensivedefensive or even hostilehostilehostile. That’s why you should always employ a calm but firmfirmfirm approach. For example, if someone raises their voice, you might say that there’s no reason to get angry and to please, calm down. If the hostilityhostilityhostility doesn’t stop, you should inform the other party that you won’t be continuing the conversation until the emotions lessenlessenlessen. After all, alleviationalleviationalleviation is the best way to deal with conflict!

2.5

No matter what negotiation you enter, following the steps above will help you create a solution where everyone benefitsbenefits [benefit] (verb)benefits. And if you fail? Remember there are many situations in which we simply cannot achieve what we’ve aimed for and it’s all right. Still, by having a clear goal and being both open and reasonable, you leave a lasting impressionlasting impressionlasting impression and that’s what matters, too!

1 Źródło: Zuzanna Kościuk, licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.