Becoming a Fierce Negotiator

Women are becoming more interested in becoming strong negotiators in the workplace and business. Here are eight tips for women to enhance their negotiation skills:

1. Prepare thoroughly: Research and gather information about the subject matter, individual(s) involved, and conceivable alternatives. Being prepared will help you feel confident and make informed decisions during negotiations.

2. Define clear objectives: Identify and prioritize your desired outcomes. Knowing what you want to achieve will enable you to articulate your needs and maintain focus during negotiations.

3. Converse assertively: Clearly express your thoughts, ideas, and requests using confident body language, maintain eye contact, and speak with clarity and conviction.

4. Practice active listening: Be attentive to the perspective of the intermediary to establish common ground and explore mutually beneficial solutions.

5. Embrace negotiation as a problem-solving technique: Approach negotiating to achieve win-win outcomes to discover creative solutions that address both parties' interests.

6. Remain calm and composed: Negotiations can become intense and it is important to stay calm and composed because acting via emotions can cloud our thoughts and judgment. Take deep breaths, pause if needed, and respond thoughtfully. Emotions can cloud judgment, so maintaining composure is crucial.

7. Know your worth: Believe in your values, strengths, and ideas. Exhibiting confidence will influence your negotiation and enhance your position.

Emphasize value, not gender: While gender disparities exist, it is imperative to concentrate on your abilities and values. Highlight your skills, experience, and achievements to establish credibility and gain respect.

Remember, negotiation skills improve with practice. Seek opportunities to negotiate and learn from each experience.