Negotiation is an extremely critical element to determine once ability to communicate accordingly. It is a form of dialogue between people with an intention to reach an understanding over an issue. At most instances, individuals may not understand the negotiation skills they got until they engage in a form of dialogue where a conclusion is needed. However, people may have some idea of their negotiation skills which they may show through filling a questionnaire. This has been a platform through which I unveiled my negotiation skills.
One of the major elements that sustain healthy negotiations is sincerity and trustworthiness of the parties involved in a dialogue. A dialogue cannot be built on a shaky ground where lies reign. For no reason should any party lie. The aim for a negotiation is to assist individuals settle on an equal level which has been arrived through proper agreement. Therefore, there is no need for any of the parties to find simpler ways of lies to get into an unfair ground. Honest is a virtue that builds relationships in extra ordinary ways. There no instances at which individuals are supposed to compromise on their ability to be honest to their counterparts. This makes a dialogue enjoyable since the parties deal with facts about a given issue (Lewicki, Barry & Saunders, 2011). Even if one was honest and his counterparts were not there is a possibility that the honest individual will win the dialogue since facts are evident and it is extremely difficult to put off honest statements.
Since negotiations are supposed to bring people into a consensus after a long time of argument, it is supposed to strength the bond between different people. This may be achieved through all parties ensuring that they are open-minded to the outcome of their dialogue. Dialogues are platforms where an individual willing to improve his or her communication skills may learn exclusively on the most outstanding communication skills. Therefore, negotiations should not cause grudge to individuals willing to learn.
The main purpose for negotiations is come up with a solution to the problem existing between the individuals involved. It is worth noting during a negotiation that people should remain calm despite what may come out of the negotiation. This means that there are no people who have a right of bringing up a conflict during and after a negotiation. This is because as people seek for a solution through negotiation their hearts have the tendency of inclining to each other for more compassion (Lewicki, Barry & Saunders, 2011). A discussion should be exhausted by realization of the intended goal and not by respect of powers for the individuals involved in a negotiation.
Winning is a trait that is inborn and every individual holds the potential to win any situation. Winners will never fear competition. Negotiations are usually forms of competition where individuals involved have the desire to win and make the best out of their abilities to ensure they outdo their counterparts. In this case, winning comes with possession of unique negotiation skills as well as convincing power. In my case, winning is the only option and I believe in winning in a margin. Therefore, in a dialogue I ensure I make use of the communication skills and knowledge in a number of fields (Hayes & Hardie, 1997).The main reason for these skills is to ensure my win is convincing to fellow negotiators.
With excellent negotiation skills whether one is dealing with an individual or a group it is extremely easy to convince. There are no unique traits that may assist an individual so much while dealing with an individual in exception of the person dealing with an outstanding deal of negotiators in a group. I can deal with an individual in a comfortable manner as I would do for a group of people in any form of negotiation. Skills remain constant despite the size of individuals one deals with in a negotiation.
In a dialogue power is an extremely critical element as it may influence the flow of a negotiation. However, for a healthy negotiation all parties should be given equal power to avoid dominance by some powerful individuals. This has equipped me with the trait of telling the strength of the views poised by other parties.
While in a negotiation, all parties should be keen enough to avoid being lied to by any of the counterparts. I possess extremely critical values of telling when one is telling a lie. These traits will easily tell the value of the negotiation taking place.
It is not possible for an individual to have answers to all questions posed to him or her. This may be taken as a platform by competitors to rate their arguments as irrelevant and unconvincing. However, even if it may seem difficult to answer some of those questions, the individual should show some understanding of the issue even if he or she is not sure of the answer.
As a form of communication dialogue is driven by some principles that govern excellent communication. As well as one should be an outstanding speaker he or she needs be a good listener. This is a golden rule of individuals who would always want to win in a dialogue. However, it is not obvious that this principle will work in all situations where negotiation will be applicable. Depending on the kind of people one is dealing with in a dialogue he or she may snub the principle to drive the required point home. At some point, so much respect for a given principle may deny the needed reality of an issue (Hayes & Hardie, 1997). Therefore, breaking it at one point is not a major mistake as far as dialogue is concerned.
After winning in a dialogue it is wise to keep the joy low to avoid extensive allegations which may make counterparts doubt the bases of one’s argument on the dialogue. After winning on initiative the winner needs be the first person to undertake what is outlined.
Cognitions form an extremely critical section of a negotiation. It is extremely wise to be aware of what is to be argued on a negotiation. This happens through extensive preparedness which is usually motivated by the ability to learn extremely fast as well as memorize what one has learnt on the topic of discussion. Since one is not in a negotiation alone, he or she needs to understand their counterparts and their reaction towards the negotiation. Modeling cognitions also play critical role during this time. One needs be aware of the processes that they need to undertake to ensure they got the required information on how to make outstanding interaction with certain people in a dialogue. Communication is usually enhanced by individual practicing proper response to certain issues being discussed. Therefore, reflection cognitions remain critical in a form of negotiation. Reflection cognitions also assist in one’s improvement in a dialogue since they have a base to learn from previous mistakes. The individual may reflect on what he or she said in a dialogue to ensure that the mistakes that happened during that conversation do not take place again. Also, it is wise to learn from others in a dialogue. They are not also perfect in their communication skills but they will always posses some positive traits that will make them outstanding. An excellent individual in dialogue will have a lot of skills and resources to gather from fellow negotiators. However, it is also extremely wise to evaluate the consequences of a certain dialogue. Consequences will always warn for a danger in future upon practice of a certain element of behavior (Lewicki, Barry & Saunders, 2011). Therefore, it is wise to understand and evaluate the consequence of certain behaviors.
Section two
Plan to improve negotiation skills
- Be the aggressor.
Initiating a negotiation will always present a platform for winning in the negotiation. This is a core element for any individual willing to win in a negotiation. For example, when a problem arises and one has a solution to the problem he should be the first one to talk of the problem
- Be ready to listen more
Listening always equips an individual with the strength to answer given challenge in a detailed manner following analysis for the previously given comments by other people in the negotiation. For example, when one gets into a discussion on an unfamiliar topic, it is always wise to listen first to gather the require information.
- Watch negotiations without getting involved
When one learns from outside it is sometimes more beneficial than when one learns from within. It may be easier to learn about a conversation while watching it than when involved in one. For example, when a young business man watches business gurus make a deal he or she will learn a lot of negotiation skills in business.
- Self evaluation
In most case, confidence may be instilled by understanding one’s strengths and abilities. Before, getting involved in a negotiation, it is wise to understand one’s potential in ensuring success. For example, an excellent doctor cannot prove to be outstanding business individual in a pool of business men.
- Instilling self-confidence
In a conversation confidence is extremely significant to avoid intimidation by fellow negotiators. For example, an individual willing to become an outstanding business negotiator, he or she must be ready to learn different principles of making business deals, which will affirm confidence for the individual.
- Thorough preparation
It is always said that more practice will make an individual excellent on a given issue. As one practices more about negotiations he or she will have adequate confidence to face any form of challenge in a negotiation.
- Honest
This is a virtue that is required for anyone willing to win in any situation. Honest comes with the parties’ ability to talk of the truth about an issue or topic in discussion. For example, when honest it is extremely easy to tell of an individual who is lying to you. This is because; once this virtue is achieved confidence also comes in for easier convincing.
- Be open-minded for outcomes
Dialogues are not always won by those who have positive attitude towards their thoughts on a given topic. Sometimes, one may get into a conversation in thoughts that the negotiation will result tier excellence only to find the topic was beyond what they knew. This may intimidate an individual who was not ready for the direction that the negotiation has taken place. Therefore, being prepared for any direction that a conversation may take would save one the humility of loosing.
- Develop a winning spirit
Winners are usually made though exclusive nurturing process of consistently getting involved in competitive activities. Getting involved in minor negotiations severally will always prepare an individual for excellence in negotiations. For example, when one approaching a major social negotiation it is wise for the individual to engage in minor negotiations with friends and relatives which will build his character.
- Be a winner
Winning comes through actualization of one’s abilities following extensive combination with outstanding level of confidence. It is the realization of the critical planning and evaluation for negotiation strategies. Winning in a major negotiation instills more confidence for any other form of negotiation.
References
Hayes, C., & Hardie, L. (1997).Negotiation skills (2nd ed.). Croydon, Vic.: Eastern House.
Lewicki, J.R., Barry, B., & Saunders, M.D. (2011). Essentials of Negotiation (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Lewicki, J.R., Barry, B., & Saunders, M.D. (2010). Negotiation: Readings, Exercises, and Cases (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
