3 common mistakes in negotiations

1. Lack of Preparation : The English expression "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail" could not be more true in negotiations. If you don't know what you want to achieve in your negotiation and with what arguments how will you manage to steer the negotiation? And if you haven't thought about what arguments your counterpart will come up with, you will quickly be left without answers.

2. Insufficient Practice: Negotiation is a skill that requires consistent practice. Despite this, most people believe that becoming a skilled negotiator comes naturally. Just like any other skill, negotiation requires deliberate practice and continuous improvement.

3. negotiating style: many people think that you have to be tough and aggressive to succeed in negotiations. Research shows the opposite. The most effective negotiators are those who:

• Remaining open to ideas and suggestions
• Creates a comfortable negotiating atmosphere
• Prioritizes collaborative problem solving over confrontation

Success in negotiation is not about personality type - but about preparation, adaptability and mutual understanding.