How To Negotiate Effectively

How To Negotiate Effectively

Throughout your life, there will come times when you will need negotiations. This will no doubt happen during the course of your business and professional life, but it still can play a role in your personal life.

Negotiations can involve big things such as a new contract for a job or small things, like deciding with your partner what movie you will watch on Netflix.

Your goal in any negotiation is to get the most out of it, successfully securing your best interest. However, there are still a lot of factors you need to be aware of. You need to know of the other person intentions and what they are looking to accomplish. Are they going to budge on their negotiation or are you dealing with someone who will not give up anything?

A perfect negotiation results in both parties getting what they want and being happy in the result. But it’s hard to read how the other person is feeling. Luckily there are things you can do, and look for, to help negotiate effectively.

1.Watch For Their Body Language

In good communication, your body should face the other person with your shoulders squared towards them. Your head should also face them and not looking around to the sides, above or below. When you see someone doing this, or their body is angled closer to the door it can give the appearance they’re not engaged and wanting to get going.

When we have an interest in something or someone, we tend to lean forward to get closer to them. If you see someone leaning closer to you it’s a good indicator that they’re on the same page as you and in tune with what you’re looking for. Being open, and not close off, is also something you can do to show you’re willing to negotiate and find a solution.

2.Do Your Homework

When you negotiate it’s important to be clear on your goals and what you want to achieve. Besides that, it’s crucial to look at the other side and understand their position and their interests. If you know what you want and where they’re coming from, and can see their side, it can help make for better negotiation.

In a perfect scenario, they have also done their homework on you and both parties can negotiate from the perspective of knowing what it will take to make the other satisfied.

3.Be Aware Of Their Arms

This is another body language clue to look out for and this is where body mirroring can come in handy. If someone has their arms crossed in front of them it shows they are closed off and guarded. To make them feel more at ease you can slowly copy this by crossing your arms and then uncrossing them when you see them do it. On a subconscious level, this shows you’re aware and are catering to them. This whole process can make for easier negotiations.

It also can be an indicator that the negotiations may be tough. If they keep their arms crossed for a while and even cross their legs, it can show that they are putting up quite a shield and it may be tough to reach an effective negotiation.

Also, watch out for their foot angle. If they point their food towards you it’s a good sign they’re engaged with you. If it’s pointed towards the door, it’s another good indicator they’re not feeling engaged and more focused on leaving.

4.Don’t Be The One To Walk Away

The top rule of negotiation is don’t be the one that walks away. Whatever the case may be, make the offer you want and let the other side walk away if they don’t want it. This isn’t being offensive or difficult, but it shows you are being honest and straightforward. You are showing what works for you and you understand if it doesn’t work for them that it’s the best you can do.This way there is no confusion or misdirection.

5.Less is more

Silence can be a powerful weapon and keeping quiet can be good except for when you are asking questions.On the one hand,you give the chance to your counter-part to be listened to, which is prominent. If your counter-part is not listened to, they will not be able to listen to you. On the other hand, you’ll get more information about what they know, which gives you the advantage to adjust your strategy accordingly, regarding the info that you think to share with them. Therefore, try to be comfortable with silence. Many people fill those uncomfortable silences with conversation, and that can end up with you divulging too much information. You also may end up revising what you offered or were willing to except.

The best negotiators listen more than they talk and know that asking questions is a better way of getting information and fending off questions.