Career Development All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 1

Negotiating for Life

IN THIS CHAPTER

Applying the six basic skills of negotiating

Handling unique negotiations

Negotiating is not a skill to take out once in a while when you have to make a deal. Negotiating is a way to get what you want out of life. You negotiate all day long, whether it’s with your co-workers, your spouse, or your kids.

No matter how large or small, how important or minor, how near or far, a negotiation involves six basic skills. After you understand how you can use these skills in a negotiation, you'll use them every time you sit down at the negotiating table.

Even if your dreams or your paycheck seem to hinge on forces beyond your control, you can create a master plan for your life and achieve your dreams — one negotiation at a time.

When Am I Negotiating?

Any time you ask someone to say yes or to do something for you or to get out of the way so you can do it, you’re negotiating. You negotiate all the time, whether you realize it or not. You’re negotiating when you

• Ask your boss for a salary increase.
• Ask the cable guy for a more specific time to show up at your house.
• Try to hurry up the cable guy when he is late.
• Decide to marry (part of a lifelong negotiation).
• Try to enforce a curfew with your kids.

Negotiating occurs in all aspects of life. ...