Managing Mondays: That's Impossible!

How do you get what you want and still make everyone happy?

I have always been the kind of person to find a way to get things done. Perhaps it’s shear determination, or it’s a passion to locate a method of accomplishing the goals I wish to achieve. Maybe it started in childhood when my mother said, “no” to a request of mine, so I went to my father asking the same question. I can’t tell you how many times I heard the line, “What did your mother say?”

Lesson learned; if it doesn’t work the first time, then take a different approach.

Preparation

“Start out with an ideal and end up with a deal.” ~ Karl Albrecht

• First you have to know exactly what you want, define it, and determine acceptable variations. This will keep you focused and on track.
• Prepare carefully and research all aspects of the deal. This will ensure you are fully prepared for any counters you may incur.
• Negotiation is nothing personal, so don’t make it a personal attack on the other party. And don’t take the other party’s actions as a personal attack upon you.
• Look at the situation from the perspective of the other party and show compassion toward their situation. Be wise; empathize!

Discussions

“If you can’t go around it, over it, or through it, you had better negotiate with it.” ~ Ashleigh Brilliant

• Listen to the needs of the other party.
• Be persistent.
• Don’t expect to “win” the first time. Your first job is just to start the other person thinking.
• Work through the terms, discussing multiple resolutions.

How can you accomplish your objectives without compromising your values?

• Give a little to allow the other party to feel as if they gained some ground.
• Admit, when appropriate, the validity of the other party’s arguments.
• Avoid ultimatums and other forms of non-negotiable demands.
• You must be fully prepared to lose a great deal in order to make a great deal.

Resolution

“The first principle of contract negotiation is don’t remind them of what you did in the past; tell them what you’re going to do in the future.” ~ Stan Musial

• Work together with the other party for a common resolution.
• Don’t be selfish; try to base a solution incorporating the needs of the other party.
• Negotiation is always best if both parties are happy and you can develop a win-win outcome.
• Put your bargain in terms of his or her needs, advantages, and benefits.
• Define and set a timeline for the transaction to take place.

Negotiation can bring with it a negative association, so be sure to take the time to fully understand the situation, be a good listener, work to develop win-win resolution and never compromise your values. Using this advice to achieve your goals will give you a new confidence in life to go out and take the world by storm.

What have you found to be a good tip in getting what you want? How has negotiation worked out well for you? And have you ever been burned because of poor negotiation on your part or because of  unethical behaviors of others? Or, have you ever had to compromise your values to get what yo wanted? Was it worth it? I’d love to hear your stories and ideas!

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Jason Christensen is back in Chicago now working at Milwaukee Tools!
He can be reached at [email protected]

Image Source: i106.photobucket.com

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