The Assentive Negotiation Technique
Negotiations, when done right, can be a very effective tool in achieving desirable outcomes, whether it’s in business settings or in everyday life. One technique in particular, the assentive negotiation technique, has been proven to have very successful results. The concept of the assentive negotiation technique is to try to build voluntary agreement between two or more people, rather than trying to conflict or win.
The method starts by first understanding the other party’s interests and the issues that the parties are trying to agree on. This allows for the negotiator to ask open-ended questions that can help get an understanding of the other party’s goal. Once an understanding has been reached, the negotiator can then start to build creative solutions that can meet the interests of both sides.
An example of an open-ended question in an assentive negotiation would be “What would you like to see out of the agreement if we are to reach an agreement?” This helps the negotiator understand the other’s position on the issue and any incentives that one may have.
The negotiator can then begin to build possible solutions to the problem. The creative solutions should be ones that both parties can potentially agree on, such as creating a few different options that may be more suitable for the other party. By putting forward different solutions to the problem, the negotiator can evoke as much agreement from the other party as possible. This can help foster a better relationship between the parties and create a more positive outcome.
The assentive negotiation technique is an effective method for creating mutually beneficial solutions. The technique is useful for reaching voluntary agreements and fostering strong cooperative relationships between negotiating parties. It helps remove the emphasis on winning, and puts the focus on creating a solution that meets the interests of both sides. With this technique, a negotiator is able to bring the parties to an agreement that they are both satisfied with, ensuring both parties have a positive experience.