Q & A Table of Contents
How Can a Man and Woman Negotiate With Each Other?
From: Kurt, Oregon
Question: I want to know the differences between negotiating with men and/or women. Are there differences in psychological behavior and interaction. Are there certain things I should be doing when I negotiate with a woman that I
would not do with a man? and what should I do when I negotiate with a man
that I should not do with a woman?
Response: There's a book called 'Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus' which is thought to be the definitive work on differences between male and female styles of communication.
One must be careful before assuming that consistent sets of rules apply to
all male/female negotiations. Other differences between the parties may be
more influential: age, ethnicity, nationality, strong feelings about
particular issues, and the subject matter of the negotiation are just a few
of those issues.
To be on the safe side you might want to take a look at the your assumptions
about men and women, as well as any you might draw from the book mentioned
above or other literature. Then use those assumptions as a set of
guidelines for information you need to derive from the person with whom you
are negotiating. Ask questions that will help you find out whether those
assumptions are accurate. Find out what is really significant to other
parties irrelevant of their gender or other differences. Then your
negotiation can focus on interests, both yours and theirs, and you are far
more likely to reach a mutually-agreeable conclusion.
Good luck.
Steve
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