One of the most important, although, often, overlooked/ neglected, assets, and skills, needed, to be a truly, effective, quality leader, is the knowledge, ability, and expertise, to effectively negotiate, for the best interests, of one’s organizations! Over, and over, again, true leaders, are confronted, with a variety of circumstances, where negotiations, become an essential component, and necessity. After, over four decades, of involvement, in most areas of leadership, from identifying and qualifying, to training and developing, to consulting to well – over, a thousand actual, and/ or, potential leaders, as well as serving, as a leader, for many different types of groups, I often, stress, how important this is, what it means, and the key aspects, which must become part of every leader’s skill – set. With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, review, examine, and discuss, what this means and represents, and why it matters.
1, Know/ recognize objectives/ goals/ priorities/ needs: Before one can negotiate, effectively, he needs to truly, understand, his organization’s, and constituent’s, actual needs, goals, and priorities, so as to know, what objectives, he must prioritize, in any negotiating. Without this knowledge, and understanding, how can anyone, best – represent, his group, and stakeholders, best – interests?
2. Study the opposite side/ party: It’s important to realize, and recognize, you will be negotiating with another party/ side, with its own set of needs, and priorities. The more one knows, his opposition’s objectives, conditions, set of priorities, etc, the more successful, one’s negotiating, will, potentially, become!
3. Proceed with an open – mind: Great leaders proceed with an open – mind, prioritizing, the possibilities, etc! When, this is the mind – set, it permits a negotiator, to see things, from a variety of other perceptions, instead of only seeing, his own – side, of any issue, etc!
4. Consider viable options and alternatives: When, one thoroughly, considers, as many possibilities, ramifications, contingencies, etc, he positions, himself, in the best place, to be able to succeed, and benefit his group. Thinking, outside – the – box, and considering various possibilities, or paths, often, brings forth, the best potential results, etc!
5. Negotiate using win – win negotiating: Quality negotiations stem from, both sides, leaving – the – table, believing, they benefited, and the process, was a fair one! To do so, win – win negotiating, must be the approach. This means, it’s not about beating/ defeating an adversary, but, rather, working – together, to generate the best result, for all involved. It requires, proceeding, consistently, in, an open, and honest manner.
Do you have the skill – set, attitude, and personal quality of character, to become a quality negotiator? Are you, up to the tasks?