Follow the Way of the Ninja…

The ways of the ninja are mysterious and tactical. Also are the ways of skilled negotiation.

A negotiation is a discussion aimed at reaching a goal or an agreement, and a negotiator (like a ninja) is hired to make that happen.  Here a few tips on how to be a negotiation ninja in any given situation. First, a strong negotiator must possess these key qualities:

– Emotional control is a skill that a negotiation ninja must possess. While it’s ok to be passionate about what you want it can get in the way of a good compromise. Unchecked anger and frustration can break down an agreement and cause you to concede to unfavorable terms.

– You also need to be adept at problem solving. The ability to find more than one solution to a problem, i.e. the “win-win” approach, is very important.

– Decision making is another skill needed as there will be times when you need to take a crucial action. This will allow you to come to a compromise quickly and maintain peace relations.

Now let’s get to those negotiation tips:

1. Do your research—Get as much relevant information about the other party as well. Find out their needs, options, difficulties and so forth. This will help you to make the best decisions and give you more power during your negotiation.

2. Plan ahead—Make a list of meeting goals and items that should be discussed, as well as a list of possible outcomes, then try to build a case for achieving the best results, says FastCompany.com. Also come up with a plan B and assess their weakness so that your plan can be beneficial to both parties.

3. Prepare for combat—Before even setting up a meeting you need to indicate what it is you want to achieve. Those who are not prepared are not taken seriously so prepare questions you need to ask and be prepared to answer likely questions.

4. Do not rush—“Being patient is very difficult,” states Brodow.com. When you are in a rush it’s more likely that you will make a mistake. Being flexible about time is a great advantage during a negotiation; if the party feels that you are not under much pressure it instead places more pressure on them, and they will be quicker to offer concessions. 

5. Take action—Now that you have done your research and have your plan it’s time to get to work. Making the first move gives you an advantage and allows you to shape the negotiation in your favor. The anchoring technique is a great secret weapon to use as it allows you to control your opponents’ opinions. If you set out your intentions early on it will lead your counter-party to consider your opinion as the starting point of the negotiation, says Telegraph.co.uk. 

PonHarvard.com explains “During decision making, anchoring occurs when individuals use an initial piece of information to make subsequent judgments. Once an anchor is set, other judgments are made by adjusting away from that anchor, and there is a bias toward interpreting other information around the anchor.” A good example is the original price offered for a used vehicle. This sets the standard for the rest of the negotiations. When a lower price is offered than initially suggested, it seems more reasonable even if it is still higher than the actual value of the vehicle.

6. Ask for what you want—Be assertive; not aggressive. State what you want but remember to be respectful of the other parties’ interests. Also, don’t take everything at face value; question everything so you can make the best decisions for you.

7. No ego here—Being a good negotiator involves striking a balance, putting what you want above everything else can ruin a negotiation. So leave the ego at home and remain neutral at the table. 

8. Find common ground—Look out for things you both like. When you point out your shared interests it makes it harder for the other party to be confrontational and brings them around to your point of view.

9. Use your body—Research has found that a message is transferred 55 per cent by body language, Telegraph points out. Thus when communicating, use those hands! When you gesture it conveys your passion so it’s a good idea when negotiating on the phone to use a hands-free headset. The other party will be able to “see” your persuasiveness by your tone which is influenced by your facial expressions and mannerisms.

10. Can’t reach a decision?—So both of you can’t seem to reach an understanding, no worries. More time may be needed for the other party to go over the proposal. Leave the door open for future sessions and leave on good terms.

Negotiation is it’s not about winning or losing. It’s about finding the best possible outcome, without fleecing any parties involved. These tips will help you to not only come out on top but to have an outstanding reputation as a negotiation ninja!