When I'm working with negotiators who are trying

When I'm working with negotiators who are trying

 to develop their negotiating skills, I'm often asked what it takes to reach the next level in negotiating. You know, the level where it all seems to come very naturally and easily to the negotiator. My answer is always the same: nobody ever really reaches that level, instead they all just look like things are going that smoothly. However, there is one thing that you can develop that will help you to appear as though you are operating on a higher level in your next negotiation: your instincts.
What Are Negotiating Instincts?


When we go into a negotiation, we are relying on all of the negotiation styles and negotiating techniques that we have developed over time in order to get the deal that we want. However, it turns out that one of the most important tools that we have at our disposal may not be anything that they can teach us in negotiating school. Instead, we need to rely on our instincts to get the deal that we want.



Our instincts both guide and protect us from making the same mistakes that we've made in the past. Yes, when we prepare for a negotiation we do have an obligation to take the time to do research and to prepare. However, we also have to realize that it would be a grave mistake to ignore what our instincts are telling us.