Negotiating in Life, Planning for Negotiations December 18, 2009

Don't Be Afraid To Negotiate

Never fear to negotiate, no matter how great the differences are. It is impossible for both parties to recognize where and how an agreement can be made without undertaking the process of negotiating. The final outcome only becomes apparent after extended discussions.

Fear Impacts Your Performance

Fear can create enormous pressure on you and impact your negotiating success. Never get panicked into a final agreement by a time deadline. It is easy to fall into the time trap. Be skeptical about deadlines. Most of them are negotiable.

What if you make a mistake?

If you make an error in coming to an agreement, don't be afraid to admit it. Maybe it is an error in judgment or a mistake on some fact or statistic. Whatever it is, it can impact your final agreement. Deal with negotiating mistakes promptly. Admitting such mistakes takes courage, but immediate corrections are essential to arrive at a satisfying agreement.

Negotiation Is Not A Contest

Remember not to approach negotiation as a contest between you and the other party. Don't shy away from negotiating just because you are afraid of making a mistake or doing poorly. With a little effort, and good negotiating skills, a better agreement can be found for both parties at the same time. Use the tools you learned at the KARRASS Effective Negotiating^® seminar. They will help you gain a better understanding of the entire negotiating process, what to look for, what to watch out for and how to take control of the negotiation. These tools will help reduce fear and make you feel more comfortable in all of your negotiations.