It isn’t our position, but our disposition that makes us happy. Remember, some people freeze in the winter. Others ski. A positive attitude always creates positive results. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. - John Mason
Successful negotiation requires positive energy and the creation of an environment that encourages cooperation. The attitude with which you enter a negotiation and the energy you diffuse plays a determinant role in that negotiation’s success. Positive energy increases your level of confidence and your capacity to absorb stress, makes you more influential, and opens your mind. People will also be friendlier if you adopt a positive attitude.
A negotiator will generally make fewer mistakes when their mind is positively charged, and they feel empowered. Negativity narrows their focus and tends to aim it in the wrong direction (often at themselves)
Smartphones and computers are technologies that have become essential and ubiquitous in nearly every area of life, including negotiation.
With Covid-19, we have become even more dependent on these devices and electronic communication.
There was a time when we had to meet in person (or pick up our phone) and then send a fax for confirmation. Then came emails filling up our inbox and further reducing face-to-face meetings. Now people increasingly use instant messages to negotiate since apps, like WhatsApp, WeChat or Line, can transfer documents. This is not only instantaneous, but also spam free - probably because getting one's email address is more difficult than a personal phone number.
Zoom, Webex Microsoft Teams and other video conference platforms have slightly counter-balanced this trend, but the reality is we have have become electronic negotiators even more.
When I negotiate, I come across a fair bit of deceptive behaviors. It made me wonder if we were all lying or cheating when negotiating. I did some research and realized that we all do. Those who deny this are liars!:-) There are no saints or sinners. We’ve done it and here’s why:
Everyday people cheat and lie to strangers, friends, colleagues, clients and loved ones. It is just human nature. We have the ability to cooperate but also manipulate. Such ability developed after mankind’s use of language with the objective of gaining an advantage in the competition for resources and mates without using physical force. Well, you know what? Times have changed, but we are still programmed the same way.
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