Turning the Chess Board Upside Down - Always an Option But Never the Best Choice
July 1st, 2009 |
Many people fail to realize all the possible options when making a decision. Often they are stuck between choices, and yet, not realizing that not making a choice is a third choice. But did you know there’s a fourth choice that you probably have never considered. Of course, if you’ve ever watched a frustrated child try to play a game of chess, you will quickly realize how silly it is that you missed it.
You see, turning the chess board upside down is an option too. Of course, it is just like choosing not to play. But it isn’t exactly choosing not to play. Rather it is reneging on your previous word of honor and agreement to play. Walking away is one form of this option, but turning the entire chess board upside down is completely another option.
It’s very similar to what the Russians, who pounded their fists on the table when trying new to negotiate with Ronald Reagan and his team in the SALT II treaties to disarm nuclear weapons. The Russians pounded their fists on the table and left the room. Ronald Reagan didn’t know what to do, he just said; “What was that all about?”
When someone does this to you in a negotiation, or playing a game or even in a business situation it actually gives you the upper hand if you will simply observe and just let it play out. The Chinese are very good at simply observing this without making any facial expressions or letting the other party know what they are thinking, as they turn the board upside down and walk away. They just sit there emotion-less, and wait to engage in negotiation at a later date.
Kim Jong ill of North Korea, basically did the same thing when he left the six party talks, and said he would never sit down to discuss nuclear weapons disarmament again. At that point he had the upper hand and he was putting a challenge to the rest of the world and the United Nations, in saying; “I refuse to talk to you!” and he also was telling the others that; I’m good at doing this negotiation thing, but either way, you can’t stop me. Basically saying; “I don’t want to play your game, I can’t win playing your game, and thus, I don’t want to play, so I’m destroying the negotiation.”
He turned the chess board upside down. This means that six party talk negotiations are completely off the table, and will not work, nor will Kim Jong-Il of North Korea rengage in that game of chess. I hope you will please consider this, and not be too surprised in your life with someone childishly turning the chess board upside down. It is indeed an option, one that is often used to gain the upper hand, still, it tells you that the other party, as they realize what you are doing and that they are clearly out matched. Please consider all this, as it will help you hone your negotiation skills.
Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow’s Bio. Lance Winslow is also Founder of the Car Wash Guys, a cool little Franchise Company; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html/.
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