negotiating principles
First of all, preparation. Go in strong--enthusiastic, but professional, assertive, confident, knowledgeable. If you don't feel it, fake it.
("A charity benefit performance? hmm...Where would this fall in the performance schedule? Did you mean for the company to travel, or hold it here?")
Gather the answers to as many possible questions as you can, in advance, and have a clear pitch to make to the other person or people at the bargaining table. Figure out exactly what you want or require from them, and what you've got to offer in return, or how they'll benefit from cooperation.
Timing. Don't ever try to negotiate after you've had a losing competition or
argument with the people in question. You'll look either desperate or disrespectful, in the sense of refusing to take "no" for an answer. ("We've been over this. There were no sequin-wearing male noblemen in Shakespeare's era. Much less did they wear cowboy boots or makeup. Ryan is quite right. Hence, the REASON why he and not the actors is in charge of costuming.")
Make sure they're in a frame of mind to be receptive to your ideas, and that their own responsibilities won't demand a restriction on how long they can hold a discussion with you. If possible, ask for a specific meeting time and place. ("If you have to fight, for any purpose, always try to pick your own time an' place. Survival 101, little brother.")
Subtle reminders of consistent good work or dedication on your part, without blatant ass-kissing, can buy you a lot more "negotiating grounds" than prima donna 'tudes.
Compromise. You can't have everything. Can't have a whole plate of yo' Mama's
cookies before supper and eat it too. ("Jamie, just 'cause Andrea's not here does NOT mean it's 'no rules/no naps/no healthy food' time. You're gonna get sick. --No, no trying Uncarye's beer. I don't even want to think about what your mama'd do to me then. Yes, we can go outside again after you nap.
And after I do.")
If there's more than one issue or piece of business, decide which is the most
pressing, what you most want to see happen. Be willing to back down, gracefully, on other matters.
("Ryan, which do you want, George to suffer for his behavior or for him to cooperate with paying Andi's child support? If you humiliate him in public, you give him no motive to be reasonable.")
Demanding one's own way in everything may make you feel very self-satisfied, but chances are, it'll backfire. If not then, later, the next time you need something important.
Honesty. Speak up plainly, if you have a complaint or problem. Do so WITHOUT
bashing anyone else. Gossip, backbiting, bringing the melodrama? Those are about as helpful as tying a dead octopus around your neck before coming to work.
("What is that she's wearing...?") And they stink worse. The people who have to listen to this are going to be wondering, if you talk about your co-workers/friends/place of business this way when you're an underling, how are you going to behave if they promote you over them? Or if you are given more money, status, resources?
Flexibility, overall. Be prepared to deal with either a positive answer, or refusal, or a "not now but we'll be open to later discussions about this idea." Don't be so rigidly set on one goal that you get tunnel-visioned about it, so much so that you can't see other possibilities--or the other person's point of view. If you can't treat the whole business with respect, you've lost even before you first open your mouth.
Muse: Ryan Bullock
Fandom: OC
Word count: waaay too *** many!