When I was a teenager, the one thing I heard most (outside of my name) was, “The world does not revolve around you!” I hated that expression, and I thought it was unwarranted. That is, until I had teenagers of my own. Apparently, being egocentric is part of normal adolescent development. It helps them to separate from their families a bit and assists them in forming their own identities. Who knew? I certainly didn’t. Here’s something else I realized . . .
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been consulting with clients who have found themselves in some difficult negotiation situations. The common theme? They’re frustrated with how the other party has been behaving. They tell me that the other party seems inflexible, doesn’t listen to their needs, and is unwilling to meet their demands.
That frustration is certainly something all of us have experienced at one time or another. However, when I ask, “What does the other party want?,” they can’t answer the question. They don’t know. They’ve been so focused on themselves that they make the strategic error of not thinking about the other party.
Like that of a teenager, I believe part of a negotiator’s natural development is suffering through the ramifications of being self-centered. When the other party is thinking only about themselves, how does that make you feel? I feel frustrated when the conversation is one-sided, because they’re not listening to me. All of which amplifies my unwillingness to do anything for them. I think that’s a common feeling for many people at the negotiating table.
When negotiations are perceived to be one-sided, it creates a more competitive environment. Both parties become inflexible as they try to protect their position while giving up nothing to the other side. This seems to happen a lot when either party doesn’t spend time thinking about the other side’s needs before they even start the negotiation. So here are a few things that I advise my clients to do in order to turn the conversation from “me, me, me” to “we, we, we”:
- What’s important to the other party? Spend time thinking about this. It’s easy to say, “They want a deal,” but be sure to truly dive into what’s important to them. In order for you to get a deal, you’ll need to address this. Think about it during your prep, and then ask them about it when you start talking.
- How can you give them what they’re asking for? This is not about giving in. It’s about finding the things they want and value that you can give them — and that cost you very little in the process. It’s about deriving power and leverage by finding ways to give them what they’re after in a manner that you’re comfortable with.
- Find a common goal. I find that if we can define a common goal, then we’re more willing to work together. It can be as simple as just wanting to work together or getting a deal done by a certain date. Whatever it is, define it and keep it alive in the conversation so that neither of you loses sight of why you’re working together to get a deal done.
I find that these simple tips help to create a more balanced conversation. On a side note, I’ve found that if I do the same with my teenagers, it tends to help keep the peace around the house — something that I value every day!
Make it a “we, we, we” negotiation
Don’t get caught only thinking about yourself, give us a call and we’ll help you prepare for the other party. We can be your advisor, your coach, and your trainer. Whether you bring us in to create your strategy, or help you prepare, or develop your team’s negotiating skills - we can help you win at the negotiating table.
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