Mastering Negotiation Tactics & Techniques
"Good Tactics can save even the worst strategy,
But bad Tactics will destroy even the best strategy.”
- George Pattern
Negotiation is both an art and a science, essential for anyone looking to succeed in business, relationships, or daily interactions. At The Negotiation Club, we believe that understanding and mastering negotiation tactics is crucial for achieving favourable outcomes. Whether you’re closing a business deal, negotiating a salary, or navigating a conflict, the right negotiation tactics and techniques can make all the difference.
Negotiation Tactics
Students, Teachers, Trainers, University Educators, Team Leaders, Negotiation Experts, Business Coaches, Learning & Development.
Call them 'tactics', call them 'techniques' or call them 'skills', there is no question that these capabilities play an important role in all negotiations, even if we are unaware of them. That's because negotiation is a critical skill that influences countless aspects of our lives, from professional dealings to personal interactions.
Negotiation tactics are the strategic tools and methods used to influence the direction and outcome of a negotiation. These tactics can help negotiators communicate more effectively, understand the needs and motivations of the other party, and find solutions that meet their objectives. Mastering these tactics allows negotiators to approach each situation with confidence and clarity, significantly improving their chances of success.
Why Learning Negotiation Tactics is Essential
1. Improved Outcomes
Knowledge of negotiation tactics and techniques equips individuals with the strategies needed to achieve their goals.
2. Enhanced Confidence
Familiarity with negotiation tactics and techniques builds confidence. When you understand the techniques and how to apply them, you approach negotiations with greater assurance, reducing anxiety and improving performance.
3. Stronger Relationships
Effective negotiation is not just about winning; it’s about finding solutions that satisfy all parties involved. Tactics that emphasise understanding and collaboration help build trust and foster long-term relationships.
4. Conflict Resolution
Conflict is an inevitable part of negotiations. Knowing how to employ tactics to de-escalate tension and find common ground is crucial for reaching amicable agreements and maintaining positive interactions.
The key to achieving this ability lies in understanding and mastering negotiation tactics.
HOW TO PRACTICE NEGOTIATION TACTICS
- Each negotiator is shown their BUYER/SELLER single variable card with Budget or Break Even*.
- Next, each negotiator is shown a random tactic from the Negotiation Tactics Deck*.
- Negotiations last between 4 to 5 minutes.
- During the negotiation each negotiator should try and use their selected tactic.
- Immediately after the practice each negotiator will be asked what tactics they believe the other negotiator was practicing; this encourages critical observation skills.
- After a debrief the exercise can be repeated with a different tactic.
* NOTE: If you have a Practice Deck of Negotiation Cards then Steps 1 and 2 can be replaced with a Stage 2 Negotiation Card.
A Selection of Negotiation Tactics
"The truth: Knowledge without practice is of no value." - Olga Neufeld
We use a growing selection of negotiation tactics to practice at The Negotiation Club.
More are being added each week as they are discussed at The Negotiation Club Podcast.
![A negotiation tactic card that describes the use of Fair in a negotiation.](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/eeb0b-fd28-a3a7-e415-48e1f858733_How_to_use_Fair_as_a_negotiation_tactic.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes pausing, considering and then responding in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/f060ef0-4667-5edb-3ca7-d7d31e8440d6_Tactics_1_-_T1.3_-_PAUSE.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes threatening as a tactic in negotiations](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/303b448-e728-55f3-d86f-dedb4a13ad34_How_to_us_a_Threaten_Tactic_in_a_Negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes using Mirror Words as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/06ee277-76ae-8b-ebe8-c8f8fa853f0e_How_to_use_Mirror_Words_in_a_Negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes the use of Open Questions as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/8d0317-5a27-6108-80ab-6b402bc714f_How_to_use_an_Open_Question_in_Negotiations.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes the use of Closed Questions as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/f06ec07-dc0e-a5-52cb-c83f448fc2_How_to_use_Closed_Questions_in_a_Negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes the use of a Summary as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/11dc24-fac-7a1e-c375-22148ebee6f_How_to_Summarise_in_a_Negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes saying NO as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/ab2ae13-e3ae-2e75-7750-34b7407b86d8_How_to_say_NO_in_a_Negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes the use of a Professional Flinch as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/580f3b-33-dae6-ebc3-36ba0dcc6_How_to_use_a_Professional_Flinch_in_a_Negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes the use of a Broken Record as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/25188e5-c828-ccc0-025-aa5642314686_How_to_use_a_Broken_Record_Tactic_in_Negotiations.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes Satisfaction as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/727dbd-ce3f-0b37-f431-f2bac3b55e_How_Satisfaction_is_a_Tactic_in_Negotiations.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes using "If you, then we" as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/a360-e2d-2e04-03-a4f062f5c_Using_the_If_You_Then_We_language_in_a_negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes managing emotions as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/0103d73-2b7-11a-31a6-75b5d4abd4fc_How_to_manage_emotions_in_a_negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes using Positive Regards as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/5b62ea5-468-efa1-631-5feef5670b_How_to_use_Positive_Regards_in_a_Negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes using My Final Offer statement as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/d384b13-3da-64de-44d1-5f3c1a823fc7_How_to_state_my_Final_Offer_in_negotiations.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes using Take It or Leave It statements as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/ced8438-4aac-761a-603c-c4e035a8380e_How_to_us_a_Take_It_Or_Leave_it_statement_in_negotiations.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes using a Reality Testing statements as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/2761e55-65d2-ac5a-2052-fdfa2dea8da1_How_to_use_a_Reality_Testing_Statement_in_Negotiations.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes using a Split The Difference statements as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/6cf5bb-3e8-4123-1a75-81ddf3ca0f0_How_to_use_Split_The_Difference_in_Negotiations.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes Deflecting a Question as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/3efec8-af73-1475-da1-1c7640cb7_How_to_deflect_a_question_in_a_negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes Red Herring as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/4b206cb-6e4-4402-dfc-7afada6e374_How_to_use_a_Red_Herring_in_a_negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes Soft Language as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/f12b50-8f57-34f-ea6d-2b51c88e157_How_to_avoid_Soft_Language_in_a_negotiation.png)
![A negotiation tactic card that describes Seeking Out Rejection as a tactic in a negotiation](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/themes/2153085482/settings_images/77f84fd-a6c2-e832-5a2-02aa3a31fc51_How_to_Seek_Out_Rejection_in_a_Negotiation.png)
The Negotiation Club Podcast Negotiation CardsÂ
We’re excited to announce the addition of our exclusive Negotiation Club Podcast Negotiation Cards to the Negotiation Tactics page. Inspired by insightful discussions with our podcast guests, these special cards capture real-life experiences and techniques shared by seasoned negotiators. Each card highlights a specific tactic discussed on the podcast, providing practical guidance and examples. Continuously updated with new insights, these cards are an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their negotiation skills with tried-and-true strategies from the experts.
Listen To The LATEST Podcast