Introduction
Roundtable discussions, panelists’ debates have been globally adopted as the best tool to solve any contentious issue .It involves engagement with the immediate affected parties. All involved parties are allowed to express themselves and a mutual and an optimal solution is realized. However due to diversities across the culture among the panelists, the negotiation traits tend to differ .this creates misunderstanding among them that may lead to acrimonious environment during discussion. Individuals with strong debating skills tend to have a dominating influence on others .this may deny others an opportunity for them to express their sentiments. In addition, they may feel inferior and give in to the decisions being made. Different values adopted by individuals also dictate the mode of discussion.
One of the key elements of any negotiation is understanding an individual’s character traits including application of emotional intelligence in reasoning out an issue. It is precautionary imperative to study an understand each other to enhance coherence (Niemeier, Campbell, and Dirven 2000). The environment in which one grew, the values instilled by parents at a young age influences a person’s nature of approaching issues.
Negotiation is defined as a tool applied by people to reach a certain agreement in an amicable way.it ensures that all parties are satisfied in the decision arrived. Every party in a negotiation tries to defend his/her opinion by influencing the other party to conform to his idea. Successful managers invite the employees to a boardroom and engage their mind in solving any underlying issue. However, an influence power by the managers may deter the employees from expressing their sentiments effectively. This may affect the performance of the employees.
Culture as a contributing factor in negotiation influences people’s thinking, communication and behavior. This is evident in international deals among business executives. The cultural diversity barrier may yield a premature deal to the disadvantage of either party. Working in a new environment requires one to understand the behavior of others and their way of approaching issues to enhance effective communication (Niemeier, Campbell, and Dirven 2000). With a power of influence a negotiator to change a person’s stance and convert him/her to obey his decisions.
Considering a panel discussion on’’ United Nations Reforms, the Rule of Law and Counter-Terrorism”, the panelist come from different countries;spain,United Kingdom and New york city. They have different ways of expressing their sentiments; intonation in language command hinders efficiency in communicating the intended message. Almost every panelist is a victim of terrorism or is prone to its effects. Therefore, their arguments tend to concur though the mode of expression hampers efficiency. Some of the variables that influence negotiations are;
Nonverbal communication
This entails the principle of behaving silently to show consent or disagreement on a certain issue. Silence is the most renowned nonverbal communication tool. In the United States, silence is moderately used. Instead, a hug is widely considered to express a sign of mutual agreement and trusted relationship. In Africa, shaking hands after the discussion is regarded as retention of good relationship despite the differences in opinions. The United States citizens do not tend to look into the eyes of the negotiator (Niemeier, Campbell, and Dirven 2000). Instead, they face the audience. In Spain, facial gazing is regarded as a tool of confidence and self-asertiveness.However this tool may act as intimidating to the negotiators’. In the video clip, some panelists are seen shaking their heads during the negotiations, an indication that there is slight consent among them on several arguments raised.
Hierarchy of power.
In a negotiation panel, members may be of different ranks. For instance, a manager may invite all the employees to the boardroom. This depicts a vertical hierarchy of power.in some cultures, people with high ranks are prioritized during negotiations .this may create an axiom in opinions thus other opinions are clouded. Power differences may traverse through gender, race, age, birth, level of education etc. Britain culture does not emphasize much on power. Instead, democratic structure on a horizontal basis, delegation of authority and limited dominance of power is emphasized. United States practices this principle especially on the low –ranked Africa continent. For instance, the dominance of United States in most international bodies’ executive boards describes the power dominance.
Sensitivity to time
Time concern plays a great role in any negotiation and therefore its always appropriate to factor it.most cultures appreciate efficient utilization time to realize a certain objective within the shortest time. Americans are regarded as quick to seal a deal. As seen in the video clip, the network city professor is characterized to observe time and always limits his words to the main content Unlike Americans. Africans are inconsiderate on time .they reserve time for knowing each other even in a business deal. Japanese tend to value time at low rate .From the video clip; Spanish are seen to utilize time in explaining to detail his opinions, like Africans who explain every word written. However, sensitivity to time does not vary much in different cultures.
Emotionalism
This character is a way of involving your heart fully in making any decision. This triggers the mind to take seriously the issues raised. However, this may result in premature decisions emotionally made. Ladies tend to be emotional when reasoning out a problem .This privileges them to gain sympathy and most like a win for the mover of the motion (Niemeier, Campbell, and Dirven 2000). The women in the video clip seemed too emotional when discussing terrorism. Americans are less emotionally affected during debate on sensitive issue. Emotional levels in Spain are moderate.Emmotional intelligence result in bad decisions or even shield a good idea from exposure to the ill-will people.
Risk Taking
Conclusion
Cultural differences among fellow citizens and fellow countries are the main guiding tool in attaining any decision in negotiations .citizens from different countries. Have different characteristics of solving problems. These characters are attributed to parenting, culture and beliefs, personal behaviors, among others. Through appreciation on each individual’s cultural diversity, negotiations yield excellent results within a short period.
References
Niemeier, S., Campbell, C. P., & Dirven, R. (2000). The Cultural Context in Business Communication. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Pub. Co
United Nations Reform, the Rule of Law and Counter-Terrorism Panel Discussion (05/08/12). (2012, July 17). Retrieved October 14, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HJqjKzXADc
