3 Steps You Can Take Today to Become a Better Negotiator

Have you ever felt overwhelmed during a negotiation? Does the thought of negotiating with someone make you nervous or even paralyzed??

No need to worry, you’re not alone! Here, I’ll help you take 3 simple steps that can set you on a path to becoming a better negotiator today.?

1. Take Control

It’s time to realize that you have FULL control in any negotiation. To become a better negotiator, the first step is to get back in the driver's seat! In the overall scope of things, that’s the only thing that matters.?

One of the biggest concerns most of us share when approaching a negotiation is that the other party has an advantage over us. This concern leads to internal fear, which makes us feel like a victim, and ultimately pushes us into the passenger seat of the negotiation.?

While it can be difficult to always feel like we’re in control, taking this proactive step will position you to negotiate from a place of confidence and clarity, enabling you to communicate honestly and effectively.?

Read more: Negotiate with confidence—even in a downturn

2. Prepare for a Dynamic Encounter?

Any negotiation is a dynamic process, one that requires significant preparation. A very common reason why negotiations fail, especially when we’re advocating for our own personal advancement, is due to a lack of preparation.?

For instance, if you’re hoping to get a raise this year, you should have started discussing the topic anywhere from 9 to 12 months in advance. This will allow for ample time to address concerns and reach an agreement with both patience and resolve.?

It can be easy to view a negotiation as a singular, make-or-break, high-stakes discussion. When in reality, successful negotiations are ones that are dynamic and provide both parties the space and time necessary to reach a mutually satisfying agreement.?

Instead of keeping our thoughts bottled up in the hopes that one conversation will alleviate our woes, we can use this time to prepare for a meaningful and dynamic encounter with the other party.?

3. Embrace the Challenge?

Nobody is born a natural negotiator, but we can all become better with practice, dedication and time. In my many years as a mediator and negotiation strategist, I’ve learned that no one becomes a seasoned negotiator overnight, but rather, they become skilled negotiators over time, by learning to put knowledge to practice.?

By placing yourself in the driver’s seat of your negotiations, gearing up for dynamic exchanges, and learning from your experiences, you’re already gathering valuable tactics to improve your negotiation skills.?

Imagine if you identified and applied one tactic per month. Within a few months, your comfort level will skyrocket and you’ll be on your way to becoming a better negotiator.?

So the next time you’re headed into a negotiation, instead of doubting your abilities, identify a new tactic you are interested in mastering and then practice it with a colleague. You’ll be amazed by your progress.?

If you found this information insightful, please share it with others! You can find more articles chock-full of great information on my blog page Unleash Your Potential.

As a leadership and negotiation strategist, Elizabeth Suárez works with organizations to develop their professionals into effective leaders and influencers.