How Not to Negotiate

President Trump and Nancy Pelosi are demonstrating how not to negotiate during this shut down. No resolution has been reached nor looks possible.

President Trump stated last minute he would veto an agreement between the House and Senate because it did not contain $5 billion for a wall. Provided no other guidance and held up the deal last minute on one condition. Note just as the new Democratic House of Representatives was seated. Obvious power play.

The new/old leader of the House was not going to be upstaged. Nancy Pelosi’s position, No money for a wall Ever.

With two stubborn dug in people, there is no deal. Both think the other side is losing and will cave in. President Trump puts impossible deadlines on congress and then delays reacting when deadlines pass. Nancy Pelosi has been in the House since 1987 and knows politics takes time. Both are entrenched in their positions. Government employees and the public will eventually suffer far longer than is necessary.

Successful negotiating requires you to understand what the other person needs and wants. Helps if you know what you need and want as well. Clarity about goals and pricing simplifies negotiating.

Treating people with caring and respect works. Resistance goes away when people discover you care about their needs. Ask a lot of questions. Listen. Research their needs and market. Talk with people who work with the person you are negotiating with. Create new solutions so both sides win.

Dealing with a sociopath / bully /dictator? Buy off their cooperation or intimidate them into seeing it your way.  Walking away from the table sometimes is the wisest choice rather than working through the stress these people create.

How will the government shut down be resolved? Eventually someone will collaborate, probably in the Senate, to find more money for border security from a Republican item budget and more money for a Democrat supported initiative. Suspect President Trump will get $1.5 - 2.5 billion when this settles, but no prediction when this shutdown ends.

Alligator (right) and Manetees (below)