THE TWO GOATS -A lesson in negotiation & managing conflict

We've all heard the story of the two goats.

Let me jog your memory.

There once lived a herd of goats near a river. One day a black goat wanted to cross the river on a narrow bridge that ran across the river. As the goat approached the middle of the bridge, it saw that a white goat was also crossing the bridge from the opposite direction. The bridge was so narrow that there was no space for both of them to pass.

'Let me pass!' said the black goat to the white goat.

NO! YOU back off and let ME pass! ' replied the white goat.

Soon they locked horns and started to fight. As they both pushed each other, they fell into the river and drowned.

How can we relate this to Negotiation and conflict resolution?

When both parties are in a competitive mood with none budging an inch , it becomes a lose- lose situation.

Let's continue the story...

The next day another pair of goats - a brown and spotted one - a were in the same situation; facing each other on the narrow bridge.

As they stared at each other, the brown goat sat down and beckoned the other goat to climb over him and pass.

Once the spotted goat crossed, the brown goat calmly crossed the bridge and went on its way.

How is THIS situation related to Negotiation and conflict resolution?

Sometimes it's okay to make a concession to achieve win- win so that both parties can move forward.

But in what situations and with whom must you make concessions ( and when you MUST NOT ) is something you can learn in my IMPACTFUL NEGOTIATION workshop.

#NEGOTIATION , #win-win, #lose-lose, #conflicts, #conflictresolution #leadership