You’ve often heard or seen me say that, if you want to really understand people, as the native Americans say, you must spend 3 moons in their moccasins. That’s why I was delighted to read my mate Negotiation Expert, Derek Arden, reflecting exactly the same viewpoint in his “Executive Briefing” negotiation tip of the week.

What got you here, won’t get you there

A key issue with negotiating is that every negotiation is different. Everyone is different, every circumstance and situation is different.

There are nearly 7 billion people in the world and everyone has a different thumbprint, eye print and generally a different view of what they want and where they are coming from.

What does this mean for negotiators?

It means that we need to understand the other person and other parties as well as we possibly can.

Aim to get as close to them as we can so we can empathise and attempt to see the world through their eyes.

Win, Win isn’t easy to come by. It needs lots of work, preparation and patience.

Dale Carnegie famously said, “If you can help the other person get what they want then you can get what you want

TIP – Put yourself in their shoes

Excellent advice for each of us from the world’s number 1 negotiation expert. Visit Derek’s website.