Negotiation skills are the speaking skills used to bargain and settle disputes, finalize and close a sale, ask for a hike, get a dream job with lucrative packages, etc. As part of this process, you will need effective communication skills in order to present your argument to the other party and active listening skills in order to arrive at a conclusion. This is how people achieve a desired result through strategic conversation. It is important to have negotiation skills both in a personal and professional setting.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the critical negotiation skills that will help you to become a better negotiator:
1. Be an active listener: You need to be an active listener if you want to become a better negotiator. When you listen carefully to what your opponent is saying or what the other person is attempting to communicate, you can devise your answer accordingly. It also includes paying attention to body language and tone of voice. By doing so, other people begin to trust that you sincerely want to hear what they have to say or their concerns. Overall, this improves communication. For example, if you are a person working in sales, this is the most important thing while conversing with the customer. If you don’t listen to the problem of the customer, you will not be able to make any further sales with him.
2. Problem-solving approach: The goal of the negotiation is to find a solution to a problem or derive an outcome from the conversation. If you are negotiating, you should always approach it from a problem-solving perspective. In order to resolve the issue, you should listen to what the other person is saying and then try to find a solution. For example, if you are a manager and you have to act as a negotiator between the employees to settle a conflict, it is crucial for you to act with a problem-solving approach.
Related article: If you are a manager dealing with conflicts and want to know what to do then, Check this out:
3. Be flexible: Flexibility means being ready to adjust, compromise, and give concessions. During negotiations, this is another important thing to do, since it suggests that you are willing to agree with some of the other party’s propositions. Meanwhile, this can help you convince other people to accept your solution changes. As an example, a job candidate may accept a lower salary if the employer is willing to provide additional benefits.
4. Practice being patient: Negotiation can be stressful and emotional, which can lead to feelings of frustration and anger. During the negotiation, you should remain calm and composed and avoid getting defensive. By dealing with the negotiation with patience, you will be able to focus on the issue and avoid making impulsive decisions and losing money. Losing your temper during heated negotiations can ruin your reputation and will make reaching to mutually beneficial agreement difficult. For example, if you are dealing with an angry resident then you should stay calm and avoid getting into an argument.
Related article: Check out 5 tips to handle an angry resident: https://www.complianceprime.com/blog/2022/10/24/5-tips-to-handle-an-angry-resident/
5. Be assertive and confident: Being assertive and confident involves expressing your interests and needs clearly and respectfully. It is extremely important to be assertive when negotiating as it helps you to stand up for your needs and interests while making the relationship positive with the other party. It will also help you avoid being taken advantage of by agreeing to something that is not in your best interest. For example, if you are a sales representative, you should be assertive if the customer wants a huge concession that does not align with your sales goal. Instead of getting angry or frustrated by them, you should politely make them understand that you will make nothing as they are demanding an inappropriate amount of discount.
“ Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” – John F. Kennedy.
Related article: Check out this article to learn 5 tips to influence others to make them say “yes”: https://www.complianceprime.com/blog/2022/10/07/5-tips-to-influence-others-to-make-them-say-yes/
6. Be empathetic: When negotiating, be empathetic as this will help you build long-term relationships with others. An empathic person understands and appreciates the feelings and perspectives of others. It involves understanding another person’s concerns from their perspective. The goal is to build trust with the other party so that you can identify solutions to your problems as well as theirs. The more trust you have in people, the more likely they are to negotiate in good faith with you. A salesperson, for example, should be empathetic while negotiating with a potential buyer by understanding their pain points and addressing them through your product or service.
7. Stay persistent: Throughout the process of negotiation, you should remain persistent despite the challenges and obstacles you may face. Being persistent means not giving up on the negotiation even when the other person is reluctant to cooperate. By staying persistent, you will be able to achieve the desired outcome for all parties involved. If you persist in the negotiation, you will show that you are serious about your request. For example, while negotiating for a salary hike the employee should not just accept whatever the manager is offering, instead he/she should be persistent in asking for the salary he/she deserves according to the market value and the contribution he/ she makes to the company.
One final note
Remember that negotiating is not about forcing your solution or opinion on others, it’s about forcing your solution on them. It’s important to remember that negotiation is a two-way street and requires give-and-take from both sides. Knowing your worth and standing your ground can help you get the desired results. Be sure to go into a negotiation prepared and with a clear understanding of your goals. The best negotiation involves beneficial outcomes for all the parties involved by being patient, professional, and persistent. If you want to learn more about how to negotiate like a pro and master the skill of leading people without authority, check out the website of Compliance Prime.
