How to Negotiate an Agreement

Whether you are negotiating a business contract or the use of a cubicle, it takes tact and understanding to come to a fair agreement. Here are some ways to take the sting out of negotiating.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electronic Personal Organizers
• Spiral Notebooks

1. Ask questions to learn what the other side wants. Try to step into the other person's shoes to see the problem from his or her point of view.

2. Communicate what you want. When you speak, make a point instead of just arguing. Focus on understanding and addressing everyone's needs.

3. Summarize conflicts of interest and obstacles to solutions.

4. Break down what you want into specific detail so you can search for areas of agreement.

5. Keep talking until you find a solution that meets your mutual interests.

6. If you reach an impasse, end the meeting and reschedule it for another time. A few days' rest might spark some new ideas.

Tips & Warnings

• See yourself and the other person as two team members searching for a solution, rather than as opponents.
• Stay calm. Nothing is negotiated well when both parties are agitated.
• Avoid taking it personally. When someone is attacking you, he or she is usually just attacking your position.

[willowman1]

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on 11/22/2005 Some people won't listen to reason no matter how hard you try. End it on a good note by agreeing to disagree, if you find it is going nowhere or if it's getting heated. Trying to get in the last word will cause you to lose the respect of the other person.

on 11/22/2005 Don't interrupt, it only makes things worse and people angry. Pay attention - people seem to calm down when you seem to lisen and care. Don't jump to conclusions, whatever you do.