This week I’ve been focused on negotiation. How do we ensure that our voice is heard and how do we really hear the other person without losing what’s important to us? Negotiation is key to business success, whether it’s with team members, clients, suppliers, investors…. How do you negotiate in line with your values and how do you deal with conversations when they become challenging?
“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” John F Kennedy
How do YOU negotiate?
A successful negotiation is one where both parties feel that the outcome is fair, but that’s easier said than done.
Very few people actually like to negotiate. Many of us shy away from it, fearing that the conversation will be challenging and instinctively avoiding any situation that might make us feel uncomfortable. But negotiating is something we all do every single day and have done since we were children.
Changing our view of negotiation requires us to understand that in life we don’t get what we deserve, we get what we negotiate. But negotiations don’t have to be tense and unpleasant. They’re actually much more about communicating than competition. Successful negotiations require both parties to put themselves in the other person’s ‘chair’ and not only see things from their perspective, but prioritise getting a win for them.
Here are my Top 10 Tips to help you negotiate better:-
🌟 Focus on achieving a win-win outcome
🌟 Ask questions and listen carefully
🌟 Prioritise understanding what the other person wants
🌟 Ignore emotional statement and keep your tone respectful
🌟 Plan for the worst but always expect the best
🌟 Never give without getting something in return
🌟 If you’re talking numbers, don’t use ranges or estimates
🌟 Harness the power of silence, use time and space to your advantage
🌟 Swallow your fears and seize control by making the first offer
🌟 Enjoy the process!
It’s completely unrealistic to expect yourself to know everything or be able to do everything. Please be kind to yourself and if you’d like to talk through the choices you’re facing or any blockers in your business, let me know.
Lisa Zevi – March 2021