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.
Negotiating fear can create enormous pressure on you and impact your 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.
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 errors promptly. Admitting such mistakes takes courage, but immediate corrections are essential a satisfying agreement.
Remember, negotiation is not a contest. 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.
When you attended our Effective Negotiating Seminar, we helped you identify and experience many aspects of negotiating. We provided you the tools to gain a better understanding of the process, what to look for, what to watch out for and how to take control of the negotiating process. Use these tools. They will help reduce fear and make you feel more comfortable in your negotiations.
About the Author:Dr. Chester L. Karrass brings extensive experience, advanced academic credentials in negotiation techniques, and over 35 years experience in seminar delivery no other negotiator in the country can match. After earning an Engineering degree from the University of Colorado and a Masters in Business from Columbia University, Dr. Karrass became a negotiator for the Hughes organization. There he won the first Howard Hughes Doctoral Fellowship Award, and spent three years conducting advanced research and experimentation in negotiation techniques before earning his Doctorate from the University of Southern California.
Related Articles
Splitting the Difference
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 08/04/2008 | Negotiation
KARRASS Effective Negotiating® Tip
Splitting The Difference
by Dr. Chester L. Karrass
This month I received an email from a client who frequently hosts Karrass In-House negotiation seminars for their employees. They asked me to elaborate on what happens when, in the negotiation process, you agree to "split the difference" to finalize an agreement.
Face-saving
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 22/04/2008 | Negotiation
Asian cultures are said to be more concerned about face-saving than Western cultures. I'm convinced that Westerners are just as concerned about saving face. Perhaps our concern is deeply hidden, but it's there. Face-saving is one of the big hidden issues in every negotiation.
Piecemeal Agreements Vs Lump-sum Agreements
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 07/05/2008 | Negotiation
any of today's negotiations can become very complex and involve many varying issues. Should these complex negotiations begin with agreements in principle or are you better served by leaning towards starting with agreement on a fact-by-fact, issue-by-issue basis?
How Do You Deal With Deadlines?
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 10/07/2008 | Negotiation
Deadlines force action. It's no accident that tax returns are filed on April 15, that Christmas presents are bought on December 24th, or that political lobbyists get bills passed just before adjournment. We accept many deadlines that are part of our daily lives. Work starts at 9AM and stops at 5PM, airplanes leave at their scheduled time, bills are due on the 10th of the month.
Real and Straw Issues
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 06/02/2008 | Negotiation
This monthly tip is going to be a little long, but please bear with me. I'm going to use a little story to illustrate this concept. Then I'll address how this technique can impact your negotiations.
Take it or Leave it Negotiating
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 18/02/2008 | Negotiation
“Take it or leave it” is a negotiation. There are many bargaining situations in which it is appropriate. This negotiation tactic has a legitimate place in your negotiating tool kit.
What Level of Authority Do You Want?
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 26/02/2008 | Negotiation
Most negotiators ignore the fact that having limits on their authority can make their jobs easier – it's a source of negotiating power.
Concession Strategy
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 12/03/2008 | Negotiation
Throughout the course of the negotiation process you are bound to grant the other party concessions. When you grant a concession, the response you get can be impacted by the concession you just gave. For example, if you make a large concession, instead of being satisfied, the other party often reacts by making greater demands. They think, “Wow, if I just got that much, there is a lot more to be had.”
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
More from Dr. Chester Karrass
How Do You Respond to a "take it or Leave It" Demand?
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 20/08/2008 | Negotiation
What do you do when the other party gives you a firm but polite “take-it-or-leave-it”? There are options available. My advice is to test it hard—their position may not be as firm as it looks.
Make Them an Offer They Must Refuse
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 05/08/2008 | Negotiation
In the KARRASS Effective Negotiating® Seminar we talk about how you might utilize the "Bogey" as a discovery tactic to gain more information. The more you know about what's on the other party's "sheet," the more opportunities you have to find ways to create a Both-Win agreement.
Acceptance Time
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 15/07/2008 | Negotiation
The idea of acceptance time is so simple that it is often overlooked in negotiations. Yet, when understood, it has the power to make each of us more effective at negotiating.
How Do You Deal With Deadlines?
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 10/07/2008 | Negotiation
Deadlines force action. It's no accident that tax returns are filed on April 15, that Christmas presents are bought on December 24th, or that political lobbyists get bills passed just before adjournment. We accept many deadlines that are part of our daily lives. Work starts at 9AM and stops at 5PM, airplanes leave at their scheduled time, bills are due on the 10th of the month.
Negotiating Your Viewpoint
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 13/06/2008 | Negotiation
An exchange of viewpoints can be a very tough negotiation. Ideas are like possessions; people don’t want to part with them. Here are eight things to consider whenever you are persuading someone to accept your viewpoint during negotiation:
Piecemeal Agreements Vs Lump-sum Agreements
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 07/05/2008 | Negotiation
any of today's negotiations can become very complex and involve many varying issues. Should these complex negotiations begin with agreements in principle or are you better served by leaning towards starting with agreement on a fact-by-fact, issue-by-issue basis?
Face-saving
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 22/04/2008 | Negotiation
Asian cultures are said to be more concerned about face-saving than Western cultures. I'm convinced that Westerners are just as concerned about saving face. Perhaps our concern is deeply hidden, but it's there. Face-saving is one of the big hidden issues in every negotiation.
Splitting the Difference
By: Dr. Chester Karrass | 08/04/2008 | Negotiation
KARRASS Effective Negotiating® Tip
Splitting The Difference
by Dr. Chester L. Karrass
This month I received an email from a client who frequently hosts Karrass In-House negotiation seminars for their employees. They asked me to elaborate on what happens when, in the negotiation process, you agree to "split the difference" to finalize an agreement.