17. Dealing with Difficult Personalities in Negotiation Problem-Solving
Dealing with Difficult Personalities in Negotiation Problem-Solving
Negotiation is a valuable skill that is used in every aspect of life. It can be used to resolve conflicts, create deals, and to achieve mutual gains. However, in every negotiation, there are times when you might deal with difficult personalities. This can make the negotiation process more challenging, but there are ways to handle it. In this article, we will explore some strategies for dealing with difficult personalities in negotiation problem-solving.
Understanding Difficult Personalities
Before we dive into strategies for dealing with difficult personalities, it's important to understand what makes someone difficult to negotiate with. Difficult personalities can take many different forms, but some of the most common include:
- Aggressive: This type of person tends to be confrontational and sometimes even hostile in their communication style.
- Passive: The opposite of an aggressive personality, this type of person tends to be indecisive and avoidant in their communication style.
- Manipulative: This type of person tries to control the negotiation by using tactics such as gaslighting, guilt-tripping or lying.
- Emotional: This type of person might get easily upset, frustrated or angry during the negotiation process.
Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Personalities
Now that we've identified some common difficult personality types, let's explore some strategies that can be used to deal with these personalities during the negotiation process.
1. Stay Calm and Focused
Regardless of what type of difficult personality you're dealing with, it's important to maintain your composure at all times. Staying calm and focused will help you to keep a clear head and make better decisions. You can try some relaxation techniques to stay calm, such as deep breathing or meditation.
2. Listen Actively
When dealing with difficult personalities, it's important to actively listen to the other party. This means paying attention to what they are saying and acknowledging their concerns. Even if you don't agree with them, it's important to validate their feelings and let them know that you are hearing them.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions are a powerful tool for dealing with difficult personalities. These types of questions encourage the other party to share their thoughts and feelings in a non-threatening way. Additionally, open-ended questions help you to gain a deeper understanding of the other party's needs and interests.
4. Find Common Ground
Even if you're dealing with someone who seems impossible to negotiate with, there is always common ground to be found. Look for areas where your interests overlap and build on those. If you can find common ground, you'll be able to create a framework for a successful negotiation.
5. Set Limits
If you're dealing with someone who is aggressive or manipulative, it's important to set limits. Let them know what behavior is not acceptable and what the consequences will be if they continue. By setting limits, you're communicating that you won't be manipulated or mistreated.
6. Consider a Third Party
If you're struggling to deal with a difficult personality, it might be worth considering bringing in a third party to help. This could be a mediator who can help to facilitate the negotiation or a professional who can provide advice and guidance.
Conclusion
Dealing with difficult personalities in negotiation problem-solving can be challenging, but it's not impossible. By staying calm and focused, actively listening, asking open-ended questions, finding common ground, setting limits, and considering a third party, you can successfully navigate the negotiation process. Remember that negotiation is a valuable skill that can be learned and improved over time. With practice and patience, you can become an effective negotiator and deal with difficult personalities with confidence.