As a leader, it is important that you are able to negotiate because it allows you to get a direct answer of yes or no. This is important as a leader so you are not wasting your time not knowing what their answer will be. A lot of businesses could get hurt because if it is a maybe and they get close to a deadline and then it falls through because you never got a direct answer it could hurt your relationship with other companies because you are unable to send them your product on time. With that, it allows you to talk with them and provide them more information regarding the business you are discussing which is important because you can compare them to similar businesses and what they turned to profit and could help sell your pitch in the long run. An issue that could arise is that the conversations could get off track due to the passion of the topic, with that you need to understand how to redirect them back on topic, so it does not keep happening and gets them talking about how to close them as a consumer.

When you first begin the negotiation process a lot of the time it is the first time being together. So, gaining their trust is very important, and going into the meeting with an agenda is good but it is important to hear them out first. You do not want to be too much in control as it could push them away. Hearing them out and seeing what they want as a business is important because it makes them feel welcomed and builds that personable relationship between you both. Through this meeting between you both, you are able to fill in the missing holes that you were unsure of. Where you can ask questions of the person you are negotiating with to learn more but help clear the air with both parties. There are a lot of business people who are ashamed or stubborn and think they know everything and end up hurting them because they do not know the full picture. In the end, it is important that you end with a firm statement where the sticker price may be one thing but if you are confident and set it at a lower price it is important that you ask for it. This will happen a lot of times and work because you build that relationship and others see that and want to make sure you are happy in the end.

In conclusion, as a leader you have authority over others, yes but in business that does not allow you to get what you want. Therefore, being comfortable negotiating with other businesses and building relationships with them allows you to open new opportunities to evolve your company to bigger things. With what I have learned over my years here at Marian University it is important to be open-minded and adjust your strategy on a day-to-day basis as things allow changing. When you get stubborn and don't that's where it hurts you and your business.

what is your response to what you read above... do you agree? If leaders have authority why is the art of negotiation important?