‘Secrets of Great Leaders’(III)
This week, we’ll continue with ‘Secrets of Great Leaders’ by Carol O’ Connor
20. Negotiate lasting solutions: Before any negotiation, you need to decide what would make you walk away from the deal. This refers to the financial terms, the treatment you receive from the opposition, potential disruption to your future plans, and other issues.
Here is a suggested procedure that you can use:
a) Make a list of all your expectations, both yours and those of other people.
b) Circle any item on this list that you absolutely must have included in the deal.
c) Consider whether the circled items are wants or genuine needs.
d) If you decide that any items are wants, not needs, then identify possible substitutes.
A successful deal meets your needs, and any substitutes have to meet these needs as well. If you cannot get anywhere with this, then you have to walk away. However, you also need to consider in advance what would make the other side walk away from you. This means identifying their limits and their needs.
Intimidation, threats and mental games — — all techniques of win-lose negotiators — — create unrest, a bad reputation and the potential that someone somewhere will return for revenge. This is not self-interest. It’s a recipe for losing in the long term.
Negotiators who use a win-win method over time are far more successful than those who are pushy and forceful. Because win-winners make friends who offer their support when it’s needed.
21. Live with uncertainty: There is no certain way to prepare for uncertainty. So accept it as part of life and just live with it. Uncertainty means possibility and the chance to benefit from surprise. Calm and steady leaders use uncertainty to find new solutions. The main requirement is an open mind and the humility to realize that you can learn from others and you don’t need to have all the answers yourself.
22. Give respect to get respect: Mutual respect is essential for good relationships. It enables frank discussion and constructive criticism. It’s also the basis for business growth because opportunities arise as ideas are shared and different points of view are discussed.
Self-respect is at the core of being able to respect other people. It’s a virtuous circle. You respect your colleagues; they value this, and see you in a positive way as well. Here are two questions to help you decide whether you have healthy self-respect.
a) Are you able to control your impulses?
Examples of low control include shouting at the boss, disappointing and hurting members of your family, or taking a holiday without having money to pay for it.
b) Do you take care of your appearance, your health and your money?
These are all essentials to ensure that you maintain a feeling of well-being.
23. Understand different points of view: Leaders who accept or explore new ideas are more effective and successful, because they:
a) promote an atmosphere where information is shared freely so that complex problems are solved more easily.
b) realize the importance of maintaining balance and integrating different ways of thinking, which leads to long-lasting, effective and robust decisions.
There are two golden rules for encouraging discussion. The first is when sharing doubts, fears, concerns or anything that requires personal disclosure, that the most powerful person in the room should speak first. If the boss goes first, this sets the tone and style that others can copy.
The second rule is, when discussing factual matters and asking opinions about the usefulness of an idea, that the most junior people should go first. This avoids any parroting of the boss’s opinions. It also encourages everyone to express a view.
Source: https://arthive.com/renemagritte/works/333257~Therapist
Source: https://en.wahooart.com/@@/8XYUAB-Rene-Magritte-Unexpected-answer
Source: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/110970/on-the-threshold-of-liberty
