No matter what business you work in or what position you have, your negotiation skills set you unique. Education and exposure in today’s world generate armies of technically competitive human capital. How can you take advantage of a situation and make things go your way?
1. Don’t Cheat to be Diplomatic
Cheating and lying are not acceptable in diplomacy. It’s all about repackaging reality in a more appealing, convincing package. Whatever you need to convey can be written in a way that REACHES people on a deeper level, taking into account their emotions and reactions. Because TRUST is so important in diplomacy, adhering to facts and being honest is crucial. Untrustworthiness wins a short-term edge, but in the long run, it loses the game.
2. Take Advantage of the Moment
A smart diplomat is always on the lookout for the “perfect moments,” or opportunities to “make hay while the sun shines.” The other part of ‘setting’ is deciding on the ideal atmosphere for your presentation. According to the European Journal of Social Psychology, one simple gesture can influence your negotiating outcome by 40%! Select the feelings you want to communicate during the transaction.
3. Stakeholders’ Left and Right Brains Should Be Involved
Every person has both an emotional and a cognitive side. According to neuroscience, some people are more left-brained (analytical), while others are right-brained (creative) (emotional decision-makers). As a result, your pitch should include numbers and estimates, as well as concepts that elicit anticipation, scope, and immediate reward.
4. Emotional Intelligence is a Skill that can be Learned
Control your emotions and stay away from rash decisions. Instead of issuing directions, a diplomat motivates others to take action. Blaming and shaming are ineffective. Make individuals feel important by encouraging them to talk about themselves. Make frequent use of the person’s name and maintain eye contact. Consider what it’s like to be in their shoes by reading people. A diplomat is defined by a combination of insight, empathy, civility, honesty, and maturity.
5. Use a Pleasant Tone of Voice and Strong, Positive Language
Clear, intelligent vocabulary may make or break your game. Let’s imagine your boss has been micromanaging you and you need more flexibility to execute your job. Begin by saying, “I appreciate all of your help.” Your suggestions are quite useful. However, I’ve been considering taking on extra responsibilities. That way, we’ll both have more creative space and be more efficient!” This is far more effective than being resentful towards your boss! The ego must take a step back. Simply by changing your terminology and tone of speech, you can have your way without jeopardizing your self-esteem.
6. Maintain a Healthy Balance of Openness and Assertiveness
A win-win situation for both parties should be the goal of any discussion. Listen to the opposing side with genuine curiosity. Toughness and adaptability are also necessary. You can’t be too obedient, either! Negotiation is a process of giving and taking. Too much ‘niceness’ – too much nodding, constant foolish smiling to please people, fear of voicing your ideas, etc. – has been shown to take away your strength mentally. Prepare for the talk ahead of time and maintain eye contact.
The frontal strike does not always work. It’s possible that we’ll have to deal with the problem INDIRECTLY. For example, if you are dissatisfied with a new budget allocation plan at work, gather statistics to deflect attention. You can make a persuasive presentation demonstrating how the new plan would negatively impact revenues, employee retention, and customer pleasure. So you’ve purposefully shifted your attention away from the budget and toward something else, such as employee retention. People will be able to see things in new ways as a result of this, as they will be able to draw on a greater range of facts and feelings.
Desperation is a terrible thing to have. “Just when people are expecting you to chase after them, withdraw,” says Oren Klaff, a true Wall Street wolf. Give them the feeling that they’re going to lose you.” For a more conversational tone, employ humour, playfulness, and unconventionality with confidence. It builds favorable brain associations, making others more agreeable.
Transform your ideas into stories that people can understand and visualize. Don’t do things like “According to a survey, ABC commercials can have XYZ impact,” or “According to a survey, ABC advertisements can have XYZ impact.” Instead, say something like, “Imagine you’re driving past Wonder Bridge and you see this flash of colors above you!” You look up, and there’s a new LCD that looks like a guitar…” Visual signals have been scientifically proved to increase interest!
10. Make Your Personality More Valuable
It’s all about image and reputation management in the long run. Maintain a positive relationship with others. Become known for your excellence, dependability, and talent across all levels of the organization.
