Negotiation skills

What does "negotiation competence" mean?

Negotiation skills are an essential key qualification for specialists and managers. Those who have mastered this skill can clearly define their interests and represent them convincingly. At the same time, high negotiation skills are characterized by the fact that you can apply suitable negotiation styles, strategies and techniques - always with the willingness to compromise.

Competent negotiation also means deriving points of view or boundaries from your own interests. It includes soft skills such as assertiveness, determination and clarity as well as social skills such as empathy, the ability to engage in dialog and politeness - all important prerequisites for effective negotiations.

Why are negotiation skills important?

Different opinions, plans and visions often clash in everyday working life. Managers in particular face major challenges here:

• You represent the interests of your team to the management.

• At the same time, you present the management's objectives to your employees.

• In addition, there are regular negotiations with business partners or customers.

If such discussions come to nothing or do not even take place, this leads to frustration and inefficiency. That is why it is crucial to learn:

1. Protect your own interests with confidence.

2. Finding solutions using suitable techniques.

3. Avoid power games in favor of fair compromises.

At the end of a successful negotiation, both sides should be satisfied - this is the only way to create a win-win situation!

What negotiation strategies are there?

The four basic strategies in negotiation are:

1. Give way: Respond flexibly and focus on relationships.

2. Exert pressure: Assert your own positions consistently (with caution).

3. Evasion: Avoid conflicts or gain time.

4. Acting in partnership: Searching for solutions together.

In practice, a combination of these approaches is usually used; pure pressure, for example, rarely leads to the desired result, just as little as exclusive evasion.

In our seminars at the Haufe Akademie you will learn practical strategies - applicable both at work and in your private life!

Can you learn to negotiate?

We often hear about the "innate" negotiating skills of some people - but professional negotiation can definitely be learned! Everyone can strengthen their individual skills:

• Optimize communication

• Improve rhetoric

• Make your appearance more self-confident

With targeted training, you will build up your skills and be more confident in any future negotiations.

The Haufe Akademie offers you the right training programs for this! Do you have any questions about individual offers or would you like to get an overview of our training programs? Contact us by mail or phone!

Strengthen your key skills now: Learn professional negotiation skills with practical seminars from the Haufe Akademie!