Everything is an Negotiation

Why does it seem that everything is a negotiation? It seems frustrating so often, because "gosh darn it" you know you are right and being fair and the answer is just staring at everyone, but somehow no one but you see it. You seem to be the smartest person in the room!

Yes, I do feel this way sometimes . . . okay, maybe I feel this way many times.

However, I definitely not the smartest person in the room. It is important to see the perspective of others, they are probably feeling the same way (being the smartest in the room) but from their vantage point. In any decision where there involvement of multiple parties, the outcome needs to be what is best. Yes, good question, best for whom (see knew you were going ask)?

The business decision needs to be what is the best interest of the organization. Okay, but what if you disagree on what is in the best interest of the organization? Well, you need to go back to the vision and fundamental strategy of the organization (hopefully one does exist . . . ) and then enter the decision discussions (aka negotiation). If you depersonalize the business decision and focus on the strategy of the organization, the negotiation turns into a positive discussion and will end up with a good solution (and not exactly what you originally felt).

It is human nature to personalize business decisions, what is this going to mean for me . . . good, bad, or indifferent? I can tell you it is not easy to depersonalize the decision but if you can and focus on what is right for the organization in context of strategy, you will end up being less frustrated and a positive outcome will be achieved.