4 negotiation skills to use on your boss

The idea of sitting down in front of your employer in order to negotiate terms can be a daunting prospect. Even with extensive preparation, a single unexpected response or unhappy expression can crumble your defences.

Most middle-management employees understand the benefits of influencing and negotiation skills training in regards to influencing their team, but we see many struggle to reach a positive outcome when bargaining with their boss.

Are you avoiding a difficult conversation with your employer? Here are four tips to help your negotiation reach a mutually beneficial compromise.

Know your manager’s style

The easiest way to get thrown during a negotiation is if you both approach the conversation at different intensity levels. If your negotiation style is aggressive, while your manager prefers more a laid back approach, this can cause imbalance in intended outcomes. So adjust to your manager’s style.

Have your facts straight

Executive-level employers are generally time-poor individuals who are highly educated. Because of this, they will be unwilling to suffer through ill-prepared negotiations.

It is crucial that you have your points in order and can back up your argument with facts. By doing this, you can appeal to an employer who appreciates efficiency.

Remove your personal attachment

Emotions are messy. Once you attach your heart to a desired outcome, you are likely to do anything to make it happen. When things begin to go sour, or your employer genuinely can’t make your dreams come true, it’s easy for your emotions to cloud your judgement. Becoming upset or angry can cause outbursts and bargaining that you may not be able to take back.

Understand their limits

While your employer may be personally willing to meet your demands, there is no guarantee that their position or resources will enable them to concede to your negotiations.

This is not to be read as a slight against you or your negotiation skills and training. Instead, it could simply be the result of their superior saying no, or industry conditions making business difficult.