Balancing collaboration with asserting your needs in contract negotiations requires a strategic approach. Before negotiations begin, identify your core objectives and non-negotiables. This clarity will help you assert your needs confidently. Approach the negotiation as a joint problem-solving exercise rather than a competitive battle. Share your motivations and constraints. Presenting a range of possible solutions can help facilitate collaboration while still allowing you to prioritize your own needs. Be prepared to assert your needs clearly and confidently, especially on critical points, This should be done respectfully and after the negotiation, reiterate commitments made and ensure both parties feel satisfied with the outcome.

Treat the situation as a " It needs to be a win win for both sides" within the constraints that both sides face. And try to keep smiling ????

Prepara la negociación estudiando las necesidades de tu contraparte, entendiendo hasta donde va a poder llegar. Analiza temporalmente como pueden evolucionar las posiciones de cada parte para manejar los tiempos. Mantén un equilibrio entre la empatía con tu contraparte y tu posicionamiento. No mientas en tu argumentario, mejor callar y no trasladar cierta información, pero intenta transmitir sinceridad. Asume que ambas partes vais a ceder. Ejercer una posición de fuerza hoy al extremo, te puede perjudicar en otra negociación el día de ma?ana. Y sea cual sea el resultado, finaliza la negociación con afectividad y educación.

Start by understanding their perspective. Knowing what they need helps you find common ground without sacrificing your own interests. Be clear about your non-negotiables. Communicate your priorities early, so they’re not surprised later. Stay flexible on smaller details. If you can give a little on the less important points, it builds goodwill for the bigger asks. Frame your needs as mutually beneficial. Show how meeting your needs also helps them in the long run. Stay firm but open to creative solutions. Finding a win-win keeps negotiations productive and leaves both parties satisfied.

It depends on your long term goals, is this going to be a partnership or long term arrangement, or a one off. If the latter then you can be much stronger in asserting your needs and drawing red lines, however if it is a partnership, in my opinion, it should be good compromises on both sides that result in the best outcome. You should still be clear of your red lines, but share these upfront, be willing to compromise in areas of less importance to you and try to be flexible and creative to achieve a solution which both parties are happy with.