Summary
As information is one of the most valuable assets, and human relationships are an inseparable part of productivity, negotiations play a considerable role in almost every aspect of human life. It may promote cooperation, introduce division of labor, and significantly improve productivity. Therefore, it is vitally important to develop negotiation-related skills, strategies, behaviors, and tactics. The ultimate goal of negotiations is to maximize benefits for all parties that are involved in the negotiation. Hence, it is crucial not only to satisfy personal interests but also to respect the interests of other parties and contribute to their achievement. Assessments of personal behaviors, strategies, and tactics during negotiations may provide valuable data regarding the strengths and weaknesses of my negotiation style. It may be highly beneficial to analyze such data for further improvements.
Building Trust
The first dimension of assessment was related to the ability to build trust during negotiations. My score is slightly above the class mean, which indicates that even though the absolute value score is high, it is relatively average. Therefore, there may be considerable improvement opportunities in terms of building trust during negotiations. Concessions play a particularly important role in building trust as they may serve as an indicator of reediness to build fair and transparent relationships, which are beneficial for both sides. Hence, it is also essential to label concessions in order to maximize their efficiency in terms of improving trust. Explaining personal demands and goals is also an important element of building trust. Unfortunately, I frequently fail to state my demand to other parties clearly.
Responding to Emotions
The second assessment dimension is closely linked to the ability to be responsive to emotions. Despite the fact that it received a maximum score, there may be room for improvement. I believe that introducing an appropriate response to the emotions of others is critical during negotiations. Therefore, I always try to address the feelings of other people, understand them and react accordingly. There are two major tactics that may contribute to the achievement of that goal. First, active listening provides valuable information for emotional assessment. Second, the ability to put oneself in the position of others is also highly beneficial. A combination of these two skills helps me improve my responsiveness in terms of emotions. Nonetheless, further development of these two skills plays a significant role in improving negotiation behaviors and techniques.
Being Fair Minded
The third element of assessment addresses the ability to stay fair-minded and maintain fairness in general. I received a maximum score, which is slightly higher than the class mean. Even though I am pleased with such a result, I am also surprised by that feedback. It may be challenging to stay fair-minded and adequately evaluate equality and equity during negotiations that involve personal interests. I am surprised with the feedback that I received, as I am not always able to maintain fairness. For instance, my partner mentioned that I seemed to be more interested in my personal goals during negotiation. Hence, it may be essential to strive to be objective and rational and analyze the subject from various perspectives.
Personal Interests and Partner Interests
The next two elements of the feedback are related to the ability to satisfy interests, including personal interests and the interests of other people. In both cases, I received a maximum score, which is above the class mean. Even though personal interests may have a higher priority rather than the interests of others, it may be critical to contribute to the achievement of both. Such an approach may maintain fairness and build trusting relationships during negotiations. However, the feedback also states that I was focused on my personal interests and did not cooperate once I achieved my goals. It may be beneficial to improve my attitudes toward the interests of others in order to maintain healthy long-term relationships with the participants in negotiations.
Competitiveness
I received different feedback regarding my competitiveness during negotiations. My first score was relatively low, and the second score was maximal. During the first negotiation, I hesitated to voice my ideas and stance on my position. It is also confirmed by the feedback I received. However, I tried to improve during the second negotiation in order to behave competitively. Competitiveness plays a significant role during negotiations, as it may not only help people achieve their goals but also lead to the development of new ideas and approaches.
Value Creation
Value creation is one of the most important aspects of negotiations as, to some extent, it represents the purpose of negotiations. The main technique that may improve value creation is asking questions and sharing information between the participants of negotiations. As already mentioned, information is the most valuable asset, and hence it is important to take steps in order to share it. Even though I received high scores in the provided feedback, my value creation skills may be improved. First, it may be essential to view the differences as an opportunity to create value and seek methods of achieving the common benefit. Second, it is highly beneficial to negotiate several subjects simultaneously to maintain information flow and avoid stalling.