Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Negotiation is an integral part of life. Good negotiating and communication skills are crucial to success at work, home, and even in relationships. Negotiation is needed everywhere in life, from bargaining for a dress in the market to serious business dealings and even asking parents' permission for a tour with friends. Being prepared and knowing what deals to take on and which ones to let go of.
How to grow skill set to become a successful negotiator
Be a good listener
A good listener is excellent and helpful almost everywhere. Listening to your opponents would help. This allows you to understand the other party's inner motives and thus gives you more chances to win in a negotiation.
Patience and confidence
Time and effort are essential for a successful negotiation. Staying patient until the end of the deal can often bring good results. At the same time, confidence is also a must. To become more confident, one has to build critical thinking ability. This will help carry out difficult conversations.
Visualize the scenario before any necessary negotiation
Brainstorming before any vital meeting can simplify the conversation. Visualizing different outcomes will help to prepare for all sorts of situations.
How do you prepare before the negotiation?
Individuals need to prepare well before any negotiation. Specify the desired outcomes. Practice at home and note important points with pen and paper.
Reviewing what the other party may want and prepare beforehand. Try to find their weaknesses and what benefits them so that you can use this information as a tool at the negotiation table.
When negotiation begins, read the tone of the opposing side and try to understand if they have a hidden motive behind their deal. For example, selling a house at a loss price might be because the house is uninhabitable.
Make some plan Bs in case things do not go according to plan. You can always walk off gracefully if a deal does not go your way.
Use a convincing tone while conversing so that the people on the other side of the table also feel that the deal is equally beneficial for them.
When negotiating, speak clearly and calmly. If you are nervous, the other party may tense it.
While negotiating, focus on the long-term goals. This will help make the shortcomings less concerning. Impress the concerned ones with futuristic solutions. People tend to take profitable offers in the long run because sitting with different parties to negotiate can be time-consuming.
A good negotiator understands the right timing. When to keep quiet, when to push, and what to offer. Showing a certain amount of flexibility makes the opponent feel safe and relaxed.
Things to look out for in the middle of a negotiation
Body language is an essential sign in an in-person negotiation. Direct eye contact means the other party is listening sincerely. Avoiding eye contact and acting uninterested might indicate negative energy.
If negotiations are conducted via email, look for the specific words or phrases used in the body of the mail. Words of affirmation are a good sign. Phrases like 'looking forward to working together with you' show interest.
The art of negotiation lies in confirming a deal with skilful techniques and communication. Therefore, with good preparation, the agreement is within your reach. So, if you need to catch up and get what you want, wait no longer to start your journey towards a better day with better skills.