Part of Chapter 4 in the Group Communication text discusses the technique of negotiating and how to do so effectively. Although it may seem like a simple topic, a lot of factors and conditions apply to negotiating. It has also become a regular habit that people, especially employees, do everyday. One of the major issues of negotiating that O'Hair and Wiemann talked about in the text was the misinterpretation of the importance of compromising. Even though some sacrifices are expected, one should not just expect and settle for just a compromise. Rather than that, if a person believes that he or she deserves a certain demand, then that person should continue to fight for it until they are persuaded to stop. O'Hair and Wiemann also do not recommend the the approach of asking for a lot in hope of settling for slightly less than that.
I found this information useful because everyone negotiates with others whether they realize it or not. In order to get what you want you need to negotiate for it, especially if that thing you're fighting for does not come easy. I also learned to seek alternate solutions if a compromise cannot be reached.
Negotiating is definitely a concept that involves making a good argument, because we are presenting an argument that we deserve more. As young children we may have learned a simple form of negotiation when bargaining with our parents for something special, but it is typically not a skill we are taught. I think the hardest thing about negotiating is selling ourselves and presenting our accomplishments. One of the things you can do to ensure a smoother negotiation is to keep a copy of your job expectations or previous year’s review. Make notes of your key accomplishments throughout the year and keep copies of all customer acknowledgements of outstanding service. Companies usually know when they have a great employee, but it’s up to you to remind them of your worth.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that the book actually was against asking for more than you want with the expectation of negotiating eventually for a little less, because it is a very commonly excepted negotiating style. I like the policy better of just asking for what you feel you deserve without playing little mind games a whole lot better, but it is just expected for certain things that people will use this age-old negotiating strategy. Because you assume the other person is doing it, you kind of have to too. I wish everyone would just be straight up with what they want and what they expect in a negotiation.
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