Patience is a Key Attribute for Master Negotiators

Patience is a Key Attribute for Master Negotiators

master negotiators

While having and expressing emotions is purely human, it is best to keep most of them well-contained during legal proceedings and discussions with other colleagues who may well be master negotiators. Some level of vulnerability may be helpful as both sides work together in reaching an agreement—and both empathy and sympathy can play a major role in helping you as an attorney to understand all parties involved and create a winning result; however, most of us have seen an outburst or two in the courtroom, in mediation, or just at the bargaining table—and it’s never pretty.

Keeping your feelings in check can be extraordinarily difficult when there is conflict, and while it will be challenging at times to assist clients in understanding this—you may find that mastering restraint is something you must work on continually too. Along with learning to practice patience. Enormous amounts of patience! And, while it can be the key to success in so many different facets of life, in a negotiation it can make or break a deal.

Upon beginning negotiations, it is vital to have researched until you have a full picture. This means having a full comprehension of the issue at hand, background on the conflict, and an idea of how your client envisions reaching a resolution (including the best and worst scenarios). You will also be at a much greater advantage if you have a full understanding of your client, what makes them tick, and how they ended up in the situation at hand. All of this applies to understanding the other side as well. Why? This knowledge gives you better perspective into everyone’s feelings and motives and will allow you to sit back much more patiently, listen, assess, and then work steadfastly with both sides to find a positive compromise.

Patience is your best friend in negotiations, and if you can master it, will set you apart from other attorneys—not to mention everyone else in the room. Without an impeding cloud of emotions or impatience, you can evaluate the situation more realistically, along with getting a glimpse into what the other side expects as their guard drops. With this advantage, you will see concessions made much more easily and quickly, and the process should become more streamlined each time you are negotiating.

Are you interested in becoming a skilled lawyer and negotiator? Our mission at CDTA College of Law is to educate, train, and develop extraordinary legal advocates. Your legal education will be comprised of bar-tested academic subjects, skills training, and values reinforcement. Upon completion of your 4-year course of study you will be fully qualified to take and pass the California Bar examination. Call us today at (760) 342-0900 or find out more online here.

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