The worlds of politics and negotiation have more in common than you might think. In both, people need to persuade others, build consensus, and manage rejections. But while they share some similarities, each field also faces unique challenges—especially when emotions run high and decisions need to be made. As political discourse becomes increasingly polarised, especially in America, there’s a lot that politicians could learn from expert negotiators—and vice versa.

At The Negotiation Club, we believe in practicing skills purposefully, so why not sharpen our abilities to be both better negotiators and better politicians at the same time? Here’s how some of the tactics we use in negotiation can also help smooth things over in the world of politics. Let’s dive into the key lessons politicians and negotiators can learn from each other—and how we can practice them together!

The Parallels Between Negotiation and Politics

In both fields, success hinges on making proposals, building consensus, and dealing with rejection. Whether you’re negotiating a contract or pushing forward a political vision, you’re working to get buy-in from other parties. Here’s how they overlap:

1. Proposals and Counterproposals: Both involve making offers and adjusting based on feedback.
2. Rejection: Whether in politics or negotiation, rejection happens for both logical (practical) and emotional reasons.
3. Consensus Building: Finding common ground is key in both fields, whether with business partners or political stakeholders.

However, there are also distinct differences. Politicians often face rejections on a massive scale, dealing with millions of stakeholders, while negotiators focus on more direct counterparts. This makes the stakes higher for politicians but gives negotiators the advantage of more controlled settings. So, what can each side learn from the other?

Three Lessons Politicians Could Learn From Expert Negotiators

1. Separate the Person from the Problem:

Politicians, like negotiators, would do well to focus on issues rather than personal attacks. A little less mudslinging and a little more problem-solving, anyone?

Practice at The Negotiation Club:

Try using Mirror Words and Summarise to shift focus back to the issue at hand, ensuring the conversation remains constructive. Instead of attacking the person, mirror their language and summarise the key points to realign the discussion.

2. Build Mutual Value:

Politicians often make it seem like only one side can win. Negotiators, however, are experts at finding win-win scenarios. Imagine how much easier politics would be if we all worked toward mutual gain!

Practice at The Negotiation Club:

Use the “If you… then we…” tactic. This encourages collaborative thinking and allows both sides to see how they can benefit from the deal. Think like a negotiator and build value together!

 3. Understand Emotional Rejections:

Rejection isn’t always about logic—sometimes it’s deeply emotional. Politicians who recognise the emotional drivers behind rejections could ease the tension and foster more inclusive conversations.

Practice at The Negotiation Club:

Test your ability to manage emotions with the Emotions tactic. Identifying when a rejection is based on feelings rather than facts is key to moving forward, whether in politics or negotiation.

Three Lessons Negotiators Could Learn From Politicians

1. The Power of Framing and Storytelling:

Politicians are masters at crafting narratives that engage people emotionally. Negotiators can learn to frame their offers in more compelling ways too—after all, a well-told story can seal the deal.

Practice at The Negotiation Club:

Use Anchor and Conditioning Language to set the stage for your negotiations. Anchoring your position in a compelling narrative can be the difference between a ‘yes’ and a ‘maybe later.’

 2. Playing the Long Game:

Politicians know that success is built over time. Negotiators can benefit from adopting this mindset, too. Relationship-building and patience go a long way in ensuring long-term success.

Practice at The Negotiation Club:

Master the Build Relations tactic. Relationships are often more important than winning a single deal—invest in your negotiation partnerships, and reap the rewards over time.

 3. Managing Public Perception:

Politicians live or die by public perception. Negotiators should also be aware of optics, especially when multiple stakeholders are involved. How your actions are perceived can be just as important as the actual terms of the deal.

Practice at The Negotiation Club:

The Know Thy Name tactic is key here. People respond well when you make things personal (in the right way!). By using someone’s name and building rapport, you can manage perceptions and build trust.

Practice Makes Perfect: Negotiation Meets Politics

At The Negotiation Club, we believe in practicing skills, not just talking about them. And the best part? You can practice these skills whether you’re aiming to be a better negotiator, a better politician, or even a better leader in your everyday life. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek guide to some tactics we can practice to sharpen both our negotiation and political skills:

• Saying “No”: Practice how to reject offers tactfully (without alienating the other party). You’ll need this in both politics and negotiation.
• Open and Closed Questions: These are critical for steering conversations. Open questions create dialogue, while closed questions drive decisions. Politicians use these all the time in debates!
• Summarise: The power of summarising can’t be overstated. When used right, it ensures everyone’s on the same page—whether you’re negotiating a deal or trying to win over voters.
• Professional Flinch: Master the art of reacting strategically to offers that don’t quite hit the mark. In politics, this might look like responding coolly to an opponent’s jab, while in negotiations, it helps signal that a better offer is needed.

Conclusion

The worlds of negotiation and politics are not as far apart as they may seem. Both negotiators and politicians face the challenge of persuading others, building consensus, and managing rejections. By adopting the lessons of each field—and practicing them at The Negotiation Club—you can hone your skills to become both a better negotiator and a more tactful politician (or at least, improve your office politics!).

Why not come practice with us and see how sharpening these skills can make a real difference in your negotiations—and perhaps, even in your everyday leadership style?