Negotiations are an important part of our daily activities. Many things that we do every day, have to be negotiated one way or the other.

The skill of negotiating is of critical importance to our lives. The ways we decide and negotiate, determine our future.

It is important that we learn how to negotiate well. Learning how to negotiate, never stops. It is a continuous, lifetime experience that allows us to acquire new knowledge and wisdom from our social and professional interactions.

Negotiating very often induces a sentimental component. It is not only the brain, but whether we like it or not, sometimes the heart takes some role.

To be able to control our feelings during a negotiation of any kind, is capital for our interest but as well for the interest of the one we are negotiating with, or if you prefer, our opponent.

Getting prepared for a negotiation, is a prerequisite for success. Knowing well the opponent during negations is capital.

If we fail to prepare well before a negotiation, the risk of failure is predominant. We need to have a clear understanding of the situation, define our aims, know our limitations, determine what is acceptable and what is not, and most importantly, understand very well how our opponent thinks and what are his wishes and interests.

Read more about knowing your opponent during negotiations, in the article It pays to know your opponent: success in negotiations improved by perspective-taking that you will find attached with our 96th Progressive Insurance Newsletter.

There are many factors that influence the evolution and outcome of negotiations. Successful negotiations need among others, concentration, a strategic plan, mutual interests, a wish for compromise without exceeding certain limits, interpersonal relations management skills, sentimental self-control and perspective taking.

The field of negotiations is extremely interesting. We should not underestimate the importance of continuously learning about it, as indeed, negotiating is a challenging experience, constantly changing and exciting.

Mastering the art of negotiating, can be extremely fruitful and rewarding in all aspects of our life.

Takis A. Haggiandreou
Director

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