1-To negotiate or not to negotiate
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Negotiation is both an art and a science—the art of achieving what you want!
But let’s take a step back: should one always negotiate? The answer is no.
Sometimes, not negotiating is the better option. However, the decision not to negotiate, to accept an offer outright, or to walk away must be a conscious and deliberate choice—not an act of avoidance driven by fear, self-doubt, or reluctance to engage.
Excerpts from Black Moves First
Life, whether we like it or not, constantly forces us to make choices and decisions; and many of these decisions lead to negotiations that we would often prefer to avoid because they involve mixed feelings and complex emotions.
Deciding when not to negotiate is often a complex and difficult issue that requires the same analysis and time that we should devote to preparing for a negotiation.
Even when a negotiation is simple, we should always at least analyze the interests, needs, desires, and basic motivations (whether explicit or not) of both ourselves and our negotiating partner; then we should move on to the options, which consist of the choices the parties could consider among those available to satisfy their interests; finally, we should think about the solutions we will pursue if the agreement is not successful, analyzing the best alternative to a negotiated agreement.
There is no such thing as “impromptu negotiation”; it’s an oxymoron. Negotiation is the result of a great deal of preparation, because improvisation is only appropriate for negotiations (and negotiators) where interests, options, and alternatives are so simple and familiar that they can be discussed spontaneously.
But even in this case, you’re not improvising: you’re in control of the situation, you have in-depth knowledge of the subject, you’re relying on all the knowledge and experience you’ve accumulated so far.
Of course, these are rare exceptions; the reality is that all too often, individuals or organizations rush into negotiations without adequate planning, without taking the time to prepare, or without many of the essential elements.
When is it not worth negotiating?
When it is not worth negotiating, it is not beneficial, it is not worth the commitment and effort it requires.
You should not negotiate when there is little or no value; when there is a potential risk of losing more than you can gain; when it will cost you more, even just emotionally. In these cases, the best solution is to avoid the negotiation.
Don’t negotiate if there is a risk that a small problem could become a big problem, and always remember: there is no point in negotiating if the people around the table do not have the authority to make a decision or accept an agreement.