Resist Like Water
The Chinese have a saying, “It is well to resist like water.” When water is put under pressure or suddenly made to flow into unfamiliar channels, it falls back. Then, in its own good time, it seeps and creeps back into position, first slowly and then with greater strength reaching its level.
In the face of strong opposition, a negotiator is wise to resist like water; fall back, listen, think, and move forward slowly.
Invest the time to understand the position that is being taken and evaluate ways you can effectively modify the other party’s stated expectations. Create alternatives that can be introduced into the negotiation and determine where your best opportunity for success lies.
Don’t forget that “satisfaction” is the true measurement of success and part of this “satisfaction measurement” is the negotiation process itself. In the face of an aggressive negotiator don’t make it a contest. The more time you take, the better you will understand the situation; the more likely you will be able to create a mutual satisfying agreement.
When you encounter an aggressive negotiator don’t just give in to their demands. Don’t escalate the negotiation into a fight. Resist—but resist like water.
Written by: Dr. Chester Karrass
We also suggest this relevant article if you have time: The Art of Intelligent Negotiation
Did you find what you were looking for?
Some other similar articles
Report this article if you think something is wrong with it!
We cannot monitor all the articles being published. If you belive there is a problem with copyright about this article, please contact us right away as described on this page. Please follow the link to read more about DMCA. Thank you for your understanding and help!
Tagged as business relations, human economy, meetings, negotiation + Categorized as Other, Business economy, Economy articles, Other, Management