understanding

Negotiation – a dirty word?

Negotiation1Just the word – negotiation – can bring up that nervous feeling.  The next couple of blogs will give you some tips that might settle those feelings.

Let’s look at why you might be nervous when it comes to negotiation.

1. Confrontation.  Some people think negotiation is an argument.  It doesn’t have to be confrontational.  In fact, effective negotiation is characterized by the parties working together to find a solution, rather than each party trying to WIN the contest of wills.

Keep in mind an attitude of cooperation, that will set the tone for the interaction.

2. Win at… Continue reading

Challenging Styles?

Following is a blog post I wrote last year.  I think it bears repeating if you’re encountering difficult people during this holiday season.  I hope you enjoy it again.

If you are working with someone who has the same style and the same priorities you do, your communication will be clear and flawless.  This doesn’t happen very often in my work life.  I’ve got some tips I’ve been using that seem to work well.

Take a moment.  When someone is using a completely different style of communication I can emotionally react to that style. … Continue reading

Who?

December’s blogs are devoted to dealing with difficult people.  December can be a difficult month filled with expectations, pressure to get more done, and enough stress to fill a lifetime.  It seems to me I encounter more difficult people during December than any other month of the year.  It could be I notice more, have less patience or interact with more people during December.

From what I’ve learned, it starts with who I am in the moment.  Have you watched the Wizard of Oz lately?  If you remember, there’s Glenda, the good witch… Continue reading

Challenging Styles?

If you are working with someone who has the same style and the same priorities you do, your communication will be clear and flawless.  This doesn’t happen very often in my work life.  I’ve got some tips I’ve been using that seem to work well.

Take a moment.  When someone is using a completely different style of communication I can emotionally react to that style.  I might get offended with someone being aggressive or impatient with someone else who is taking a long time to get to the point.  Rather than react to their behavior, it’s more productive if… Continue reading

Negotiation – a dirty word?

Just the word – negotiation – can bring up that nervous feeling.  The next couple of blogs will give you some tips that might settle those feelings.

Let’s look at why you might be nervous when it comes to negotiation.

1. Confrontation.  Some people think negotiation is an argument.  It doesn’t have to be confrontational.  In fact, effective negotiation is characterized by the parties working together to find a solution, rather than each party trying to WIN the contest of wills.

Keep in mind an attitude of cooperation, that will set the tone for the interaction.

2. Win at… Continue reading