Important Negotiation Techniques for Success at Work

In a professional setting, negotiation is the process of coming to a mutually accepted agreement between two or more parties, including coworkers, employers, employees, and outside parties. Dealing with complaints, resolving conflicts, and resolving grievances and conflicts are all examples of negotiation in the workplace. In most negotiations, the sides must compromise or give and take. However, because one party may have greater negotiating power than the other, negotiated agreements may not always require both sides to meet in the centre.

Employers' Preferences

Explain how you followed the four standard steps in workplace negotiation when giving examples of when you've successfully used your negotiating abilities by responding to the following questions.

• Planning and preparation: How have you acquired evidence to support your position in a negotiation? How did you specify your goals and the goals of the other parties involved?
• Opening discussion: How did you establish a good connection and a constructive tone for a negotiation?
• Bargaining phase: How did you present your argument and respond to objections or requests for concessions?
• Closing phase: How did you and the other parties seal your agreement? Which of your goals have you met? What apologies did you offer?

Negotiations between employees and employers

Common conversations between employees and employers include:

• settling on a pay after getting hired for a new position
• The timing of a vacation or a leave of absence may be negotiated.
• A separation agreement is negotiated with the employer.
• settling on a more accommodating work schedule
• drafting a union agreement
• contracting for freelance or consultancy services

Employee-to-Employee Negotiations

Here are a few examples of negotiations amongst coworkers:

• Within a project team, roles and workload might be discussed.
• Negotiating a project deadline with your boss
• resolving interpersonal disputes

Negotiations between employees and third parties

Examples of discussions between an employee and a third party include:

• negotiating a sale's terms and price with a consumer
• discussing a legal settlement with the opponent's lawyer
• engaging in service or supply contract negotiations with suppliers
• negotiating lesson plan objectives with the class

How to Make Your Skills Stand Out

Register in our Negotiation training courses for better understanding of the negotiation process.