Negotiation – Stay Safe Part 3

Week 1 Let’s talk #strategy

Week 2 Let’s learn about #support and the benefit of role playing the meeting

Week 3 The all important art of #negotiation.

Let’s go to #STEP3 of Staying Safe at Work in Week 3 of #SAFETY month. It’s time to #complain but just the very word makes you think of whinging! In fact you just want a bit of air time with your boss and the chance to be part of the negotiation in effecting real change.

You’ve really thought carefully about your reason for speaking with your boss. It could be that you feel you’re being harassed, feel overwhelmed or things aren’t going well with your team.

Week 1 was about #strategy
Week 2 was about #support and the benefit of role playing the meeting.
(see the link below).

Week 3 – Today, is about #negotiation.
(Check out Philip Brown expert in negotiation skills)

As Philip says, “We often negotiate without realising what we are doing or even what the other person is doing.

And that is why negotiation PRACTICE is so important.

Often we’re so involved in our own dialogue that we don’t tune in to the nuances of the conversation.

AND Check out Oscar Trimboli who describes 5 Levels of Listening.

When you pay close attention to your boss and to yourself as well, you can learn so much more about successful negotiations.

1. Communicate Effectively: Clearly and concisely express your points. Use your professional and informative to convey the message you’ve prepared.

2. Build Relationships: Building positive relationships with your boss is crucial. Emphasize how your proposals are in line with the organisation’s goals and will benefit both employees and productivity.

3. Emphasise the Value: Use data and evidence to show the cost of inaction in terms of employee mental health and well-being. Quantify the benefits of your proposals in terms of productivity and morale.

4. Stay Calm and Patient: Negotiations can sometimes be challenging. Keep your emotions in check, and be patient. Don’t rush the process, especially when discussing sensitive topics related to mental health.

5. Negotiate Win-Win Solutions: Strive for solutions that benefit both parties.

6. Flexibility: Be willing to compromise. If your boss has valid concerns or alternative suggestions, consider them and adjust your proposals as necessary.

What are you NOT prepared to give up on?
What’s the least you will accept?
Consider your options before you enter the meeting.

7. Watch your boss’s reactions and body language very carefully and tune in to his / her language.

8. Follow-Up: After the negotiation, ensure that any agreements or action plans are documented and implemented.

9. Don’t keep rerunning the events of the meeting in your mind and think about ‘Could have.’ ‘Should have.’ Our negative bias can take over. It’s time to accentuate the #positives and say #welldone to yourself.

10. Let’s chat and find out how you can successfully #negotiate and #staysafe at work.