TYPES OF NEGOTIATING
When negotiating, the ideal aim is to achieve a ‘win-win’ deal for both parties.
That way, everybody feels like their needs are being met by the end of the bargaining process.
There will be times, however, when the win-win approach to negotiating will not be a priority. If you intend to avoid engaging with the other part again, you may use a more aggressive approach. In that case, you may choose a more aggressive negotiation where one side tries to get the better of the other. An example is when people buy and sell property, often making this bargaining a rather stressful experience.
This is one of many ways that negotiation styles must adapt to different situations. For instance, when the stakes are high, it might be worth preparing for negotiation by planning your hand and reactions and engaging in a certain amount of ‘gamesmanship’ to get ahead. For example, people with experience in significant negotiations might act shocked or offended at an offer – even if it is better than expected.
Remember, these kinds of approaches are not suitable for resolutions that seek to foster healthy recurring relationships. If you win a round by adopting an aggressive attitude and the other person experiences a loss, this technique could bite you in future negotiations.
Using deception or manipulation erodes trust and prevents good working relationships, so it is a good idea to refrain from these approaches if you foresee having future dealings with someone. Getting your way in a win-lose manner may work if you negotiate only sometimes with someone. Being straightforward and trustworthy usually works best when there is an ongoing collaboration.
- What is the name of the person with whom you need to negotiate?
- Have you dealt with this person in the past? If so, how has it been before?
- And are you likely to negotiate with this person more in the future? What impact does this have on the current process?
BUILD RAPPORT
Rapport has played an essential part in smoothing the way for some historic bargaining sessions. For example, to forge a stronger relationship to build their negotiations, two architects of the post-apartheid era in South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer, used to enjoy fishing trips together.
The excursions broke the ice between them and built a foundation of trust, especially when incidents that brought the ‘human’ factor into focus, such as when Meyer got a hook caught in his finger and had to rely on Ramaphosa’s help to remove it.
Even if you negotiate with someone regularly, it’s always important to consider positioning and ease into the deal-making process.
Putting two parties on either side of a table creates a dynamic of competition. It is more effective to mix your team members up a bit. For example, seat members of ‘opposing’ teams next to each other around the table. Also, if you are chairing the meeting, begin with an icebreaker or some chit-chat before bringing up the central negotiation. It will give everyone time to connect and ‘get into the room’ before you start in earnest.
- Where and when will the negotiation with this person take place?
- How can you ensure that the space you’ll be using for the meeting will be as comfortable as possible for you and this person?
- And what light conversation can you use to start the discussion to help this person relax?
THE AGREEMENTS
As Newton said, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
So beware of framing the negotiation in inflexible, black-and-white terms. Every absolute will most likely be met with an equal and opposite absolute, which will do nothing but waste time, erode goodwill and potentially keep you from coming to a mutually satisfactory agreement.
Rather than sticking a flag in the ground and unilaterally declaring a particular territory yours, first, start by making gentler inroads. Instead, focus on areas where both parties agree and share a similar stance so you can at least create a common ground from which to build.
For example, during Cold War negotiations with the Soviets in the 1970s, US diplomat and statesman Henry Kissinger used the concept of ‘détente‘ to slowly but permanently ease tensions between America and the Soviet Union. Détente is a concept that means both sides agree to gradually reduce their mutual hatred to a workable level where negotiation is at least an option.
Détente was, in fact, just about the only thing the parties would agree upon. But it was a start, and a good one at that – it certainly contributed to the long-term thawing of relations between the two superpowers. Remember that even people who might seem like they would never agree on anything usually have at least some things in common!
- What is your ideal outcome for the negotiation with this person?
- Why is this important to you and your organisation?
- And would it be helpful to communicate this with this person? Why do you think so?
- Now let’s consider the other side. What do you think this person hopes to get from the negotiation process?
- Where is there common ground between your objectives?
- And what do you think this indicates about your underlying intentions?
MAKE TRADES WHEN NEGOTIATING
Once you get to some initial agreement in the negotiating process, there are still likely to be some points left unsettled. This is fine. To move forward, acknowledge those points and whittle them down to as few as possible. This may entail making concessions here and there. Negotiations can get very creative, so keep an open mind. The myriad ways to tie up the negotiation process aren’t as important as getting to yes.
Indeed, the world is full of trade-offs. For example, the Kruger National Park is considered an example of conservation. Still, the reality is that the Park’s initial set up in the 1920s, was as a no-hunting wildlife reserve to allow the local animal population a chance to breed and increase their numbers.
But why did the South African government of the time take this measure? The ironic trade-off of setting up such a seemingly noble project was so that the same animals which managed to recover within the boundaries of the Park could then be hunted once again!
What lesson can you take away from this? For starters, winning is only part of it, and stubbornly holding onto a point out of principle will not help you in the long run. Allowing others to secure some advantages, even if the gains are small, enables them to maintain their dignity during the negotiation. This helps build a relationship between the two of you based on mutual fairness.
However, please do not give it all away too soon! Making concessions on less critical items is okay, but keep the more essential prizes as future bargaining chips, only ‘releasing’ them later when you need some leverage at the negotiating table. That way, you’ll keep some bargaining power throughout the negotiation.