The Shrug is One of The “Best Practices in Negotiation”

Somebody makes you an offer that is so low, such a shock, and so upsetting that you don’t know where to begin to respond.
Or, a person makes a perfectly suitable first offer, which is in the range of acceptability, given what you’ve plotted in advance.
These seem to be dramatically disparate scenarios that would evoke entirely […]

Best Practices in Negotiation #5 - Use Meta-Communication to Counter Crafty Ploys

I was negotiating a significant consulting contract with a very straight-laced Midwestern natural resources corporation.
My counterpart, a fellow who seemed to handle himself very well, was not at all cooperating with me to seal a deal, so instead of walking away from our negotiations, I simply said:
“You’re following an interesting negotiation strategy here, but I’m […]

Best Practices in Negotiation #5 - Use Meta-Communication to Counter Crafty Ploys

I was negotiating a significant consulting contract with a very straight-laced Midwestern natural resources corporation.
My counterpart, a fellow who seemed to handle himself very well, was not at all cooperating with me to seal a deal, so instead of walking away from our negotiations, I simply said:
“You’re following an interesting negotiation strategy here, but I’m […]

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