now, no signup required!
Richa and Daniel are looking for a new apartment to rent. After weeks of house-hunting, they finally find a place they can call home. However, the rent is a little over their budget. What do you think they will do next? Yes, you guessed it right! They will negotiate and try to bring the price down.
Negotiation is a part of life. Successful negotiation is an art that takes patience and practice. Knowing how to negotiate will help you in many areas of your life, whether it is house-hunting, salary negotiations, or even shopping. Let’s see how you can improve negotiation skills and master this complicated technique.
The 10 Golden Rules Of Negotiation
If you want to be a good negotiator you have to master ways of skillfully presenting your ideas and persuading your audience. The ability to negotiate successfully can make or break your career. Here are 10 helpful tips to negotiate effectively and get the outcome you want:
-
Ask For What You Want
The golden rule of negotiating is to ask for what you want by communicating it to the parties involved. Figure out what you are looking for and be unafraid to ask for it. People will listen carefully if you are assertive. But remember, there is a fine line between being assertive and being aggressive. Stay calm and polite.
-
Pause And Listen
Communication lies at the heart of negotiation. If you want others to listen to you, then you need to do the same. When you listen attentively, you not only make others feel valued but also give them a chance to present their viewpoints. Ask questions to encourage others to divulge more information. This helps you too–you can prepare counter-arguments.
-
Always Do Your Homework
Research and preparation are the best ways of getting what you want in a negotiation. When you know more, you’re better prepared to defend your viewpoints and convince others of the same. Have supporting reasons to justify what you’re asking for. (whatthefab.com) The more information you have, the more others will believe you.
-
Don’t Be In A Hurry
You can’t expect to arrive at a positive outcome if you rush through a negotiation. Think through each step of the process to avoid making mistakes or overlooking things. If the decision-making takes longer, then set up another meeting. Don’t walk away with something you’re not happy with just because you didn’t give it enough time.
-
Don’t Hesitate To Walk Away
If the negotiation has an unfavorable outcome, don’t be afraid to walk away. Learn how to say no and look for better opportunities. You have to trust your gut. Sometimes the offer on the table isn’t good enough. That’s when you need to walk away and seek out greener pastures.
-
Aim High And Hope For The Best
Successful negotiation is rooted in optimism. The more you expect, the more you’re likely to achieve. Aim high so that even if you have to lower your demand, you’re close to what you wanted in the first place. It may seem unrealistic, but aiming for a greater outcome is never a bad thing.
-
Don’t Treat It As A Competition
Many people assume that negotiations are all about shouting at each other and winning the argument. However, proper negotiation should lead to positive outcomes for everyone involved. To prevent any heated or emotionally-charged arguments from taking place, you need to put forth your thoughts in an objective manner.
-
Give Others Some Room
You’re bound to feel defensive and angry when someone disagrees with you. Remind yourself that the other person is simply offering a counter-argument and not attacking you personally. Try not to push too hard. Let others present their viewpoints and listen to what they have to say with an open mind.
-
Use Silence To Your Advantage
If you see that the others involved aren’t voicing their opinions, it either means that they are convinced or they are taking time to come up with counter-arguments. This is when you take advantage of this silence. For example, if a seller is quiet during the negotiation process, you can put your foot down and say, “This is all I can offer, take it or leave it.”
-
Have Fun While You’re At It
Negotiations don’t necessarily need to a serious and tense affair. If you want to break the tension in the room, turn it into an enjoyable experience. Crack a joke, share a funny anecdote or arrange for a coffee break. Everyone will feel relaxed.
Harappa Education’s Negotiating Wisely Course is designed to help you become a champion of persuasion. The Dual Concern Model will teach you about the different methods of negotiation. Gain the confidence to articulate your position clearly and become a win-win negotiator!
Explore topics such as What Does Negotiating Mean, How to Develop Negotiation Skills, Types of Negotiation & How to Use Negotiating Technique from Harappa Diaries and master the art of negotiating wisely.
