Here's how you can negotiate with difficult people using confidence.

Know your worth. Before you enter any negotiation, you need to have a clear idea of what you want, what you can offer, and what you are willing to accept. ... Stay calm and respectful. ... Ask questions and listen. ... Focus on the problem, not the person. ... Stand your ground

Stay Calm and Composed: Maintain your composure, even if the other party becomes confrontational. Staying calm helps you think clearly and project confidence. Prepare Thoroughly: Know your facts, understand the other party’s interests, and have a clear goal. Preparation equips you with the confidence to handle any curveballs thrown your way. Use Active Listening: Show that you are listening by summarizing their points and asking clarifying questions. This demonstrates respect and can diffuse tension, making them more receptive to your perspective. Assert Your Position: Clearly and assertively communicate your needs and boundaries without being aggressive. Seek Win-Win Solutions: Focus on finding mutually beneficial outcomes.

Thorough preparation is key to greater confidence. Take the time after negotiations to really reflect - notice which aspects of your preparation stood you in good stead and which aspects of your preparation could benefit from further attention. We all will have unconscious preferences or areas in which we are more comfortable. Self-reflection will enable your preparation to be more and more effective each time

It's essential to thoroughly prepare before entering any negotiation, especially when dealing with challenging counterparts. Understanding the details of your objectives and foreseeing the other party's needs and concerns can significantly enhance your negotiation strategy. This level of preparation not only boosts your confidence but also enables you to construct more compelling arguments. By anticipating potential questions or objections and preparing suitable responses, you demonstrate your competence and dedication to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

Use active listening techniques to understand their perspective. Focus on interests rather than positions to find common ground. Stay calm and composed, even if the other person becomes emotional. Be willing to walk away if necessary, which can strengthen your position.

When faced with challenging negotiators, maintaining a composed demeanor is key. Their attempts to unsettle you should not derail the discussion. Stay collected to exhibit your confidence and guide the conversation effectively. By managing your reactions, you steer the negotiation towards a constructive outcome. Keeping your cool also aids in reducing stress levels, enabling you to approach the situation with a clear mind and make sound decisions.

Active listening plays a vital role in negotiations. By actively engaging with the other party, you demonstrate empathy and understanding, which can foster a more collaborative atmosphere. It's important to focus on the speaker, ask thoughtful questions, and reflect back their points to ensure alignment. This approach not only helps in gathering insights but also builds rapport and trust. By showing genuine interest in the other person's perspective, you can enhance communication and increase the likelihood of reaching mutually beneficial agreements in negotiations.

To excel in negotiations, it's vital to project confidence while maintaining respect. Clearly articulating your needs and boundaries without aggression is key. Opt for using "I" statements to convey your stance and refrain from resorting to personal attacks or ultimatums, as they can heighten tensions. Being assertive allows you to uphold your position firmly and conveys to the other party that you prioritize your interests and are ready to engage in constructive negotiations for mutual benefit.

For example, in a meeting where a woman's ideas are being dismissed, she might say, "I appreciate your input, but I believe my proposal addresses OUR objectives effectively and deserves thorough consideration." Assert yourself by clearly stating your needs and boundaries, which helps establish respect and minimizes misunderstandings. This approach can turn potential conflicts into collaborative problem-solving opportunities.

It's essential to maintain a constructive mindset when dealing with challenging individuals. Focus on proposing viable solutions rather than dwelling on issues. This proactive approach fosters teamwork and demonstrates your dedication to reaching mutually beneficial outcomes. By introducing various options and being open to exploring different avenues, you showcase adaptability and innovative thinking, which can help overcome obstacles and strengthen relationships.

You can build rapport through conversation/small talk, humour, showing an interest in the other person (not just the deal) and sharing things about yourself. Building Rapport is very important - it helps you to: - build trust - remembering the saying - Know me, like me, trust me - have regular connection/communication to keep you in mind - show that you aren't just looking for a transactional relationship - build a long-term, collaborative relationship - understand their needs, constraints and priorities over a longer period of time = insights that are hugely valuable for your proposals

Establishing a strong connection with challenging negotiators is key to successful outcomes. Look for common ground to build rapport and foster a positive relationship. Engage in light conversations, show interest in their hobbies or find shared connections. By cultivating a friendly environment, you can diminish tension and enhance communication channels, facilitating smoother negotiations.

Notice patterns Notice what your tendencies are. How do you typically respond to difficult behaviour and which sorts of behavior do you find most challenging? Understanding the above will enable you to approach similar situations with more self-awareness and therefore utilise the correct skills for greater control.

Negotiation training and skill development is crucial if you want to become effective, skilled negotiators. Taking the time to develop your skills and hone your craft will enable you to create far more effective, value driven proposals and (if you're trained effectively) you will also become more efficient with your time and ability to be able to control the negotiation process. In my role, training people in negotiation skills across a wide range of sectors and industries I’ve gained huge insight into the tools and techniques that advanced negotiators utilise. Skill enhancement for negotiators is crucial!