Here are some practical communication strategies from our expert, Carol Barkes, MBA, CPM, on negotiation:
Remember the Acronym A.I.A:
A = Awareness: pay attention to how you are intuitively feeling. Notice if you are starting to get stressed. If you are, take some time to deep breathe (yawning is even better), stretch, tap or walk. This is all about getting oxygen to your brain and stopping the continual release of stress hormones.
I = Intentions: Remember what your intentions are for this mediation. If you want it to be collaborative, don’t take the bait if the other party throws out some competitive or judgmental statements.
A = Actions: What actions do you need to take to keep the negotiation on track?