Why negotiate?

Do you think you loose the debate or argument? Do you feel that someone is continually taking advantage of you? Do you seem to have to fight your corner aggressively, or ally with others, to win the resources you need? Or do you struggle to get what you want from people whose help you need, but over whom you have little direct authority? If so, you may need to brush up your negotiation skills. Negotiation is an art to achieve what you want through a navigation method which you can master to influence the outcome. It is a method by which people settle differences and in business terms it is a process by which compromise or agreement is reached while avoiding argument.
Negotiation is a fundamental business skill. People with good negotiation skills can exaggerate their strengths, conceal sensitive information, and omit pertinent facts when they negotiate. You can learn how to combine simple behavioral techniques with proven negotiation strategies to unlock vital information about the other party’s TRUE position, TRUE objectives, and TRUE constraints. It is important to remember that in any disagreement, individuals understandably aim to achieve the best possible outcome for their position or perhaps an organisation they represent. However, the principles of fairness, seeking mutual benefit and maintaining a relationship are the keys to a successful outcome. Negotiation works at personal level and emotions are important. Sometimes emotion can be vital for discussion because people’s emotional needs must fairly be met. If emotion is not discussed where it needs to be, then the agreement reached can be unsatisfactory and temporary. Be as detached as possible when discussing your own emotions – perhaps discuss them as if they belong to someone else.

General negotiation skills can be learned and applied in a wide range of activities, however specific forms of negotiation are used in many situations like international affairs, the legal system, government, industrial disputes or domestic relationships etc. Negotiation skills can be of great benefit in resolving any differences that arise between you and others. Effective negotiation helps you to resolve situations where what you want conflicts with what someone else wants. The aim of win-win negotiation is to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties, and leaves both parties feeling that they’ve won, in some way, after the event.