Negotiating Settings: Understand Which Are Best
As a law student, you will have a long list of challenging, and hopefully enormously inspiring, subjects to study, including the art of negotiating and establishing negotiating settings. And while you may think you have a tight grip on negotiating already due to a naturally insightful and analytical mind, there is a lot of psychology that goes into this type of work—and if you want to win for your client, it may involve much strategy too when dealing with an important case.
A novice negotiator, or an overly confident one, may be content to settle for a generic setting; however, it is vital to have an atmosphere conducive to your type of negotiations. Is this a corporate or serious business setting? Are you strangers, or colleagues who have worked together before? If you want to keep everyone on edge, and hope to be finished with talks as soon as possible, you may choose a more austere atmosphere, typical of the boardroom, with few accoutrements added to the setting. Hopefully, a deal is struck quickly, everyone shakes hands, and you leave with a happy client.
Other times, you may seek a more medium level of relaxation, often found in a mediation. Again, your level of familiarity with the other party may affect the tone of negotiations, and in some cases, you may even go so far as to meet at a restaurant or have food brought in. Studies have shown that negotiators sharing meals together may have better success simply to the biological effects of enjoying food and rising glucose levels—leading to a more jovial mood and open mind for some.
Greater comfort may produce greater affability on all sides, but the topic and deal at hand is still going to be the focus—and if it is difficult or attitudes are strained on both sides, you have your work cut out for you! There are also many other important—and advantageous details—that will help you prepare for dealing with the other party, such as researching them thoroughly and having a clear discussion with your client regarding what they are willing to settle for, so you have an idea of when to give a little, or when to walk away.
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.