Negotiation skills are very important not only in your professional life, but also in your personal life. You can negotiate in order to close a big deal, to get more interesting and challenging tasks at work, and also to organize a perfect evening with your friends. That is the opinion of professional mediator Tammy Lenski, presented on saleshq.monster.com website.
She claims that many people think of negotiation only as a way to get something. But that is not the case. At work, almost every single conversation is a negotiation – be it deadlines, timelines, tasks or demands of various kinds. The very moment you put a cup of coffee on your desk, a negotiation starts.
According to Lenski, a negative way to look at negotiation is that it is something that needs to be won. A better approach is to consider a negotiation as a conversation. Then the tendency to be too confrontational can be avoided. Also, don’t waste your time picturing the worst possible scenarios. Instead, when preparing for a negotiation, try to see it from the other person’s perspective, this is much more constructive.
Hardball tactics are not always the best
When you negotiate with your coworkers, you have to keep in mind that you need to sustain ongoing relationships with these people. Try to figure out what your common interest is. Don’t play hardball, and don’t be selfish with your colleagues.
Ask the right question
You always know what are your needs and goals are in a specific negotiation. What you don’t know are the needs of your counterpart. That’s why you need to ask what the other person wants from you in return. Direct questions are often the most efficient way.
Talk about the issues right away. Try to specify the conditions that will enable you to accomplish the task rather than solely complaining about conditions that make it impossible. Do not hide your resentment, get rid of it by having positive and constructive approach instead.
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