How to win negotiations with aggressive opponents

Efforts to dominate, which may lead to intimidation or bullying of others, are not unusual at the workplace. They cause many problems in a variety of situations, but today we will focus on negotiations.

You may have already experienced negotiations with people ready to get what they want even at the expense of attacking and humiliating you. In such situations, we often don't know what to do and give up negotiating.

However, you don't have to give up. Even negotiations with such a partner can lead to mutual satisfaction if you follow certain rules. The first and most important rule is not to behave in the same way.

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if you want to succeed in negotiating, you have to be empathetic and try to understand the other side. The only dominance the attacking party has over you is the ability to make you feel unpleasant. If you count on this and don't let yourself be provoked, you will have the advantage.

Fastcompany.com recommends the following steps.

1. Prepare thoroughly

Find out as much as possible about who you will talk with. You need to know not only the person but also the organisation and why they want to negotiate with you.

Let aggressive negotiators present their demands and listen carefully. Only then give your opinion while maintaining total peace of mind.

2. Trust your experience

If the given partner has agreed to meet you, it does not matter how aggressive you think he is. If he didn't want to negotiate with you, he would not even have come. He needs something from you. Therefore, believe in yourself and respond to his requests using specific examples from your experience.

3. Don't let yourself be pushed into a corner

Count on the fact that aggressive negotiators start negotiating hard and fast. They will try to push you into accepting their offer immediately.

If your idea of cooperation is different, listen to them, try to understand their opinion, but don't agree. Be self-confident too. Keep calm, refuse the offer and explain your opinion.

4. Don't make the other side feel less strong

This sounds strange but it's in your best interest. Express praise and admiration for your opponent's achievements: thus he will keep feeling dominant and you can easily ask for what you need from him. If he senses that you think like he does, negotiations will be much easier.

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Article source Fast Company - leading U.S. magazine and website for managers
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