Negotiation skills in the workplace
Many positions require employees to have strong negotiation skills. Whether you are simply working as part of a team or you regularly negotiate with clients, honing these skills will make you better able to build trust, communicate effectively, and productively settle differences. Here we explore what negotiation skills are, the stages of successful negotiation, and the top 12 skills you need to be an effective negotiator.
Negotiation skills defined
Negotiation skills allow you to reach a compromise with another person or party. There are several skills that fall under the negotiation umbrella, including communication, cooperation, and persuasion skills. This type of skill set is considered a soft skill and is something that individuals can work on and continually improve. The exact skills you’ll need to be successful in the workplace are contingent on the type of negotiating you do, your work environment, and the outcome you wish to accomplish.
There are several types of negotiations in the workplace. These types include:
- Management negotiations
- Coworker negotiations
- Distributive negotiations
- Vendor negotiations
- Integrative negotiations
Most negotiations are considered to be either win-win or win-lose. A win-win negotiation is when both parties get what they want, while a win-lose negation is when one party gets what they want while the other doesn’t or only gets part of what they went into the negotiation aiming for.
Learn more: 3 Negotiation Traps Every Employee Needs to Watch Out For
Stages of negotiation
Understanding the different stages of negotiation will help you become a better negotiator. The following are the stages of negation you should be familiar with:
- Preparation: Before negotiations begin, there are several decisions to be made in order to best prepare for the meeting. These decisions include where the negotiations will take place, the points that will be negotiated, your position in the negotiation, any alternatives you’re willing to accept, and who will attend the negotiations. You should also take time to research the other players in the negotiation, their interests, and their primary goals.
- Discussion of information: Once you begin the negotiation meeting, the next step is to discuss and share information as well as explore options that meet the needs of both parties. Key negotiation skills needed during this stage including listening skills, and communication skills, questioning skills. You should also make it a point to build trust with the other party as well as demonstrate your competency in the matter.
- Clarification of goals: Next, it’s time to get really clear on the goals of both parties involved in the negotiation. You should ask for any clarification needed to help you better understand the other side’s viewpoint and interests. This stage is often when common ground will be discovered that will help support both parties experiencing a beneficial outcome.
- Bargain: A good negotiation involves both give and take from both parties. During the bargaining stage, you’ll want to help come to a conclusion that satisfies the needs of both parties.
- Agreement: Upon successful completion of the bargaining stage, you should be able to come to an agreement with the other party as to how the situation will be resolved.
- Execution: At the conclusion of the negotiation, the agreed-upon contingencies will need to be executed exactly how they were laid out during the meeting.
Learn more: The Number 1 Skill You Need to Master At Work Is…
Top negotiation skills to excel in your position
The following are the top 12 negotiation skills needed to be a successful negotiator:
Communication skills
How you communicate can make or break a negotiation. You must be able to effectively convey your message in an easy-to-understand manner as well as understand the other party’s message. Verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills are all essential when negotiating.
Listening skills
Strong listening skills will make you a better negotiator as they ensure you hear and understand what the other party is conveying as well as show respect to the other party. Active listening is key when negotiating and can help you build trust, increase your understanding, and ensure you don’t miss important information.
Persuasion skills
Influencing others is an important component of negotiating. Good persuasion skills allow you to successfully propose a solution that benefits both parties and encourages the other party to agree with your proposal.
Strategizing skills
Strategizing allows you to see multiple possible solutions to a problem and ensures you’re prepared with a backup plan in the event that the other party does not agree with your initial offer.
Planning skills
Negotiations don’t end after a meeting. Rather, effective planning is necessary to carry out the solutions derived during the negotiation. Strong planning skills ensure you’re prepared to execute the decisions made in a successful manner.
Decision-making skills
Many decisions are made during a negotiation, so good decision-making skills will support your ability to successfully negotiate.
Problem-solving skills
Many negotiations take place to find a resolution to a particular problem. Good problem-solving skills allow you to arrive at the negotiation with effective and viable solutions in mind that will benefit both parties.
Rapport building skills
Building rapport with the other party ensures they trust you and can make them more willing to see your point of view.
Emotional intelligence
Keeping your emotions in check as well as reading the emotions of others during a negotiation is crucial to ensuring the meeting doesn’t get off track and your emotions don’t get the best of you. Good emotional intelligence skills to work on include self regulation, empathy, self awareness, and motivation.
Teamwork skills
Many negotiations are held by two different parties, and each party can consist of one or more people. Working as a team with your party is an important component to ensuring everyone is on the same page and a beneficial solution is derived.
Analytical skills
Analyzing both sides of the situation and determining ways in which both parties can come to an agreement is essential to peaceful and effective negotiating. Analytical skills allow you to understand complex issues and come to the table with an in-depth understanding of the situation. Skills to work on in this category include critical thinking, research, and information and data analysis.
Goal-setting skills
Most negotiations are based on the particular goals of each party. Knowing how to set viable goals that represent both parties’ interests ensures a triumphant negotiation. Good goal-setting skills to hone include time management, focus, and flexibility.