Top 5 Techniques to Improve Your Negotiation Skills
In the corporate world, negotiation happens at every possible level and with everyone. Here are few examples of corporate examples:
- Existing employee negotiating with the HR on his yearly appraisal
- Junior negotiating with her boss on the assigned yearly KRAs
- Team Leader asking from client for extra time needed for the completing the project
- Negotiating a co-worker to assist professionally with some office work
If you don’t ask, the answer was anyways no
So don’t be afraid of asking and thus negotiating (for what is needed for your and the company’s betterment)
Here are the top negotiation techniques to be used in corporate life:
- Study the person in front of you
There is a reason negotiation is still so difficult. It always takes courage to start with it. Everybody is afraid of confrontation and even more for introverts
To start things off, always study and understand the person with whom you need to negotiate with. By studying, do your homework on :
- what is this person really good workwise in office
- What is actually his/her superpower in office
- Is there some senior boss always protecting him/her, because of which this person is always so confident
- Everybody has an Achilles heal i.e. one great weakness which can hurt him the most. Use that against that person
- Knowing your strengths
Like knowing the other person, it is even more important to know your own self i.e. what are you really good at. Many people are very scared of face to face discussions. Try doing a written communication like a email to negotiate, if that is your biggest strength
- “What if stalemate occurs” alternatives?
Stalemate is a common occurrence in negotiation, where both parties are equally right and wrong. This is where the power of conclusion comes into the picture. Thus summarise what was wrong and right with both parties.
It is simply OK if both parties “Agree to Disagree” .
Negotiation is never about you winning or the other person losing.
- Anchoring techniques using listening
How much ever you may go preparing for a negotiation, you still don’t have full idea on what the person is going to speak or counter answer on your statements.
So always keep listening to each and every single word spoken by the other person and then place your anchoring statement.
- Calmness is a virtue
As the famous quote goes – No one makes you angry. You chose to use anger as a response.
It’s simple, no negotiation has been successfully completed and happily satisfied, if one or both parties get angry.
Maintain your cool.
In summary,
Negotiation is never easy and that is the reason there are so many disgruntled and unhappy employees in any organisation. While the above 5 steps are good guide, only way to get better is actually get started with negotiating with the people
Even otherwise, we provide specific coaching on negotiation skills to all types of employees in the corporate.
Reach out to us to know more.
