What do you do if your negotiations are hindered by a lack of emotional intelligence?

1 Recognize Deficits

The first step in dealing with a lack of emotional intelligence in negotiations is to recognize the deficits. This means being aware of the emotional undercurrents that are affecting the dialogue. You might notice that certain comments trigger defensive reactions or that there's a general lack of empathy from one or more parties involved. Once these issues are identified, you can begin to address them by adjusting your approach, such as being more patient, asking clarifying questions, or explicitly acknowledging the emotions at play.

3 Leverage Empathy

Empathy is a cornerstone of emotional intelligence and is especially important in negotiations. If you sense a lack of EQ is hindering the process, consciously work to put yourself in the other party's shoes. This doesn't mean you have to agree with them, but understanding their concerns and motivations can help you navigate the conversation more effectively. Empathetic engagement can also disarm tension and build trust, which are essential for reaching an amicable agreement.

4 Control Emotions

In negotiations, controlling your own emotions is as important as understanding others'. When faced with low emotional intelligence from negotiating partners, it's crucial to maintain composure. This means managing frustration, staying calm, and not reacting impulsively to emotional triggers. By keeping your emotions in check, you set a professional tone that can help steer the negotiation away from conflict and towards resolution.

5 Seek Assistance

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the emotional dynamics of a negotiation may be too challenging to navigate alone. In such cases, seeking assistance from a third party might be beneficial. This could be a colleague with high emotional intelligence or a professional mediator. Their objective perspective and skilled communication can help defuse tensions and facilitate a more productive negotiation.

6 Reflect and Learn

Every negotiation is an opportunity to learn and improve your skills. Reflect on the experience to identify what worked and what didn't. Consider how you might enhance your emotional intelligence or adjust your strategies for future negotiations. Remember that developing EQ is an ongoing process, and each challenging negotiation can contribute to your growth as an effective business administrator.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?