29 Apr WRITERS & PRODUCERS: How to win a (WGA strike) negotiation
With the WGA strike looming, writers and producers need to perfect their negotiation skills. Former FBI Hostage Chief Chris Voss gives tips on how to win a negation.
Negotiation is an essential skill in both personal and professional life. With the WGA strike only hours away, negotiation skills are crucial. Whether you are a studio head, producer, or writer, you need to negotiate to get what you want. However, negotiating effectively is not easy. It requires a lot of practice, strategy, and mindset. In this blog post, we will explore the main points of the video “How to Win a Negotiation, with Former FBI Hostage Chief Chris Voss” and share some practical tips that you can use in your next negotiation.
WRITERS & PRODUCERS: MAKE THE OTHER PERSON FEEL HEARD
According to Chris Voss, one of the most important things you can do in a negotiation is to make the other person feel heard. This means acknowledging their emotions, needs, and concerns. When people feel heard, they are more likely to open up and be receptive to your message. To do this, Voss suggests using active listening techniques such as mirroring and labeling.
WGA WRITERS & PRODUCERS: FOCUS ON THE OTHER PERSON’S EMOTIONS
Emotions play a significant role in decision-making. Therefore, it is essential to understand and acknowledge the other person’s emotions during a negotiation. Voss suggests that you focus on the emotions behind the words rather than the words themselves. By understanding the other person’s emotions, you can tailor your message to what they need to hear.
WGA WRITERS & PRODUCERS: PRACTICE EMPATHY
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is a crucial skill in negotiation because it can help you build rapport and establish trust with the other person. Voss recommends practicing empathy by putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and seeing the situation from their perspective.
USE CALIBRATED QUESTIONS
To avoid the WGA strike, open-ended questions that encourage the other person to reveal more information are crucial. They can help you uncover the other person’s needs, wants, and motivations. Voss suggests using calibrated questions such as “What makes you say that?” or “How can I help to make this better for you?”.
AVOID GETTING DEFENSIVE
To solve the WGA issue, when the other person disagrees with your point of view or makes a critical comment, it is easy to get defensive. However, Voss warns that getting defensive can lead to a breakdown in communication and damage the negotiation. Instead, he suggests that you acknowledge the other person’s opinion and ask questions to understand their point of view better.
In conclusion, negotiation is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. By focusing on the other person’s emotions, practicing empathy, using calibrated questions, and avoiding defensiveness, you can increase your chances of winning a negotiation. And with any luck, avoid the WGA strike. By implementing these tips, you can negotiate more effectively and achieve your goals.
Check out Chris Voss’s book, “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It,” for more practical tips and strategies on negotiating effectively.
Youtube video: How to win a negotiation, with former FBI hostage chief Chris Voss
Check out previous blogs and podcasts here:
No Comments