The 7 most important Negotiation skills
The Bible is full of Negotiation.
Because it’s the base of how to improve your life, in my opinion, you improve your experience by using Negotiation and not force.
It’s all about understanding the power of relationships.
Skill 1: Who are the sides? Get to know why are you there, who are you? Are you a good fit? The right person? If you are there, you are the one that should be there!
Let’s take Moses, for example:
Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian,
(This tells us he likes to help and take care of things)
and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai,
(He knows the ways of the desert)
There an angel of the Lord appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up. “This is strange!” he said to himself. “I’ll go over and see why the bush isn’t burning up.”
When the Lord saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”
God replied, “Don’t come any closer. Take off your sandals—the ground where you are standing is holy. I am the God who was worshiped by your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
(God uses a statement and name throwing. This is how you make small talk).
Moses was afraid to look at God, and so he hid his face.
The Lord said: I have seen how my people are suffering as slaves in Egypt, and I have heard them beg for my help because of the way they are being mistreated. I feel sorry for them, and I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians.
My people have begged for my help, and I have seen how cruel the Egyptians are to them. Now go to the king I am sending you to lead my people out of his country.
(A fundamental Idea I want you to take from the Bible is “Free will” God can make the king send his people, but he takes Moses a negotiator to convince the king. The Negotiation lets a more significant process take place. Not only the king need’s understanding that change is coming. Moses needs people to follow him. The Hebrews an Egyptians need convincing. Therefore Moses gives a choice, and the Negotiation is a process that takes time. Life is full of options, and you have the power to choose the right one).
But Moses said, “Who am I to go to the king and lead your people out of Egypt?”
Skill 2: Preparation?
(You always need to prepare for Negotiation – and feel worthy to win).
God replied, “I will be with you. And you will know that I am the one who sent you, when you worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.”
Moses answered, “I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshiped has sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?”
Call together the leaders of Israel and tell them that the God who was worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to you. Tell them I have seen how terribly they are being treated in Egypt, and I promise to lead them out of their troubles. I will give them a land rich with milk and honey.
(If Negotiation fails, you use force)
The leaders of Israel will listen to you. Then you must take them to the king of Egypt and say, “The Lord God of the Hebrews has appeared to us. Let us walk three days into the desert, where we can offer a sacrifice to him.”
(Baby steps).
But I know that the king of Egypt won’t let you go unless something forces him to.
Skill 3: Stay positive?
(You will get a NO – that is a natural part of every yes, you first get No God is preparing Moses).
So I will use my mighty power to perform all kinds of miracles and strike down the Egyptians. Then the king will send you away.
Moses asked the Lord, “Suppose everyone refuses to listen to my message, and no one believes that you really appeared to me?”
Skill 4: Be respectful and ask questions?
(We need to remember this is God, So he knows who to ask, and he asks Moses. So you understand Moses is a fantastic Negotiator. So what does he do? he challenges God. He says nothing bad about him; he says terrible things about himself. To find out What is the plan?).
The Lord answered, “What’s that in your hand?”
“A walking stick,” Moses replied.
“Throw it down!” the Lord commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back.
“Pick it up by the tail!” the Lord told him. And when Moses did this, the snake turned back into a walking stick.
“Do this,” the Lord said, “and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshiped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Next, the Lord commanded Moses, “Put your hand inside your shirt.” Moses obeyed, and when he took it out, his hand had turned white as snow—like someone with leprosy.
“Put your hand back inside your shirt,” the Lord told him. Moses did so, and when he took it out again, it was as healthy as the rest of his body.
Then the Lord said, “If no one believes either of these miracles, take some water from the Nile River and pour it on the ground. The water will immediately turn into blood.”
Moses replied, “I have never been a good speaker. I wasn’t one before you spoke to me, and I’m not one now. I am slow at speaking, and I can never think of what to say.”
Skill 5: Lower the pressure?
(Moses lowers expectations, and he is modest).
But the Lord answered, “Who makes people able to speak or makes them deaf or unable to speak? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Don’t you know that I am the one who does these things? Now go! When you speak, I will be with you and give you the words to say.”
Moses begged, “Lord, please send someone else to do it.”
Skill 6: Never say no say what you want in return?
(I want you to Negotiate until your colleagues can’t handle it, you know you’re at the end when they get up to leave and then you say what they are willing to give you).
The Lord became irritated with Moses and said:
What about your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know he is a good speaker. He is already on his way here to visit you, and he will be happy to see you again.
Skill 7: Get more people involved?
(To win, get more people involved, get them to help. God has more information. He is ready for every question).
Aaron will speak to the people for you, and you will be like me, telling Aaron what to say. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will tell each of you what to do. Now take this walking stick and use it to perform miracles.
We usually think we are too ready and adequate, and that might get us to arrive unprepared.
We need to work out to become stronger.
Think of a plan to identify yourself.
To see your colleagues from different sides.
To get more information about the subject you intended to negotiate.