Many women in business believe they are not good negotiators. I guarantee you’re better than you think. To enhance your negotiating self-confidence let’s take a look at some practical negotiation how-to's.
Let me ask you this; are you aware of how many times you actual negotiate throughout a typical day? Here are some scenarios:
1. Your teenage daughter wants to extend her curfew and you explain to her why that’s not an option.
2. You realize you have an overdraft charge and you talk with the bank clerk about possibly refunding the fee.
3. A client wants you to travel out of town but you’ve made personal plans with your family. You are figuring out how to convince her to change her mind.
You’re probably taking for granted just how often you’re involved in the negotiation process, I’m sure it is more than you realize.
Many of us are unsure of how to negotiate effectively. Here are a few tips to help enhance your negotiating self-confidence:
1. Have a clear picture of what is important to you and what’s not. In the negotiation process it is important to know in advance what is an absolute “must have” and what you’re willing to concede.
2. Choose a good time to hold the negotiations. During a heated argument is not the best time to begin negotiating. Here are a few things to think about when choosing the best time to make your point of view known:
- There is a better chance of reaching win-win solutions when all parties can sit and talk in a calm and rational environment.
- Go into a formal negotiating situation prepared. Have a good idea of your desired outcome before the meeting begins.
- Tackle a situation while there is still time to negotiate. Don’t wait until it is a full-blown problem to try to work things out.
- Negotiate while cool heads can still prevail. If you’re in the middle of a heated discussion, take a break and return when emotions have cooled.
4. Be a positive person – come from a place of empowerment. How many times have you witnessed a customer berating a clerk or yelling at a cashier? Not a win-win scenario for anyone. In negotiations, your goal isn’t to make the other person angry or feel bad; the goal is to achieve as much of your desired outcome as possible. I’m reminded of the old saying; “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
5. After the other person has a chance to share their point of view, it is your turn. Here are some tips:
- Don’t get defensive.
- Ask for help – “Can you help me understand you position more clearly.”
- Ask for what you want. Share your thoughts without alienating the other person.
- Make your point and then stop talking.
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Sharon Recommends:
Here is an offsite link to Amazon.com if you’d like to find a classic book about negotating:
Secrets of Power Negotiating, 15th Anniversary Edition: Inside Secrets from a Master Negotiator
Here is the Kindle edition of the same book: Secrets of Power Negotiating, 15th Anniversary Edition: Inside Secrets from a Master Negotiator
Disclosure: As an affiliate of Amazon.com I will get paid on any purchase of this product from the links within this article.
