Negotiate with compassion in times of COVID 19.We are all in this together.

We live in strange times and our lives have been turned upside down. We need to adjust to new social norms, social distancing. We feel that our freedom has been taken away. We can’t travel, can’t meet with friends and family we can’t even just go to the supermarket and buy staples like flour, toilet paper or canned tomatoes.

The way we work has changed; the way we interact with each other has changed. 

The way we negotiate should also change in these strange and challenging times.

While we negotiate to get the best deal possible and don’t want to leave money on the table; this does not necessarily apply in these circumstances where we are all affected in some way or another.

What is important now is that we work together, find solutions together and help each other out. I have seen many acts of kindness lately. It’s these times that bring us together.

The same goes when you negotiate. These are extraordinary circumstances, and people still need to make deals but it is not the time to take advantage of somebody’s position.

Here are 3 recommendations that will help to negotiate appropriately in times of COVID 19:

1)    Be collaborative

These are extraordinary circumstances and we are all still trying to adjust. This can bring out the best and the worse in people. While some panic buy and hoard groceries, others give away what they have to the vulnerable. People act and react differently. Therefore, be collaborative and open so you can get the best out of people. Behaviour triggers behaviour, so if you are kind the other party will be too.

2)    Give the other party the benefit of the doubt

Your negotiations will most likely happen via email, over the phone or via video conference which means that a lot of signals from body language and tone are lost. If you feel that the other party has come across as rude, abrupt or dismissive call them out on it. Ask if they really meant it that way. Most likely they did not mean it like that; remember a lot of us are under extreme pressure and suffer anxiety of the unknown.

3)    Be compassionate

Think about the situation of the other party. Are they doing it tough right now? What is at play? Then think about your situation, do you need to maximize this deal or can you give a little more? Can you help them out by being compassionate and asking for less? There are many ways of doing this; you could give an extended credit; you could reduce your price and ask them to pay the difference later if they can. You could offer delivery free of charge etc. There are many ways to be compassionate and help each other out. People don’t forget acts of kindness.

So please don’t try and get the best deal, make the most compassionate deal.

Be kind and they will be kind to you. Take care!