What People Still Get Wrong About Negotiations

Max H. Bazerman on hbr.org

All too often, negotiators fail to share information with their counterparts about preferences on the various issues, fearful that they will be exploited if the other side knows what they value. They keep all their cards hidden and assume that this is the secret to being a tough negotiator. To elicit the information necessary to create value, resolve conflicts, and reach efficient agreements, negotiators should use four key strategies: building trust, asking questions, sharing information, and making multiple offers simultaneously. A fifth strategy is also introduced: the concept of post-settlement set­tlements (PSS) to improve deals even after initial agreements have been made.