Brainstorming Methods

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Author:
Bill Scarpino

Every person negotiates every aspect of their lives. No one can negotiate until they understand the situation. Wherever there is conflict there is a problem to be solved. This involves getting two or more people to agree on something. Problem solving is an essential skill of any effect negotiator.

Problem solving starts with defining the problem. Overcoming a problem cannot be accomplished until the problem has been identified. Often the issue that appears to be the problem overshadows the actual underlying cause or causes of dissension. To resolve the problem the real causes of dissension must be addressed.

Mediators observe closely how each of the parties reacts to suggested solutions to identify which party has additional issues that need to be brought up and addressed before a final resolution initiative will be well received.

One method of identifying ancillary issues is to start each negotiation conference or session with a casual conversation with the other side. During this casual dialogue listen for personal, business, or totally unrelated issues that may hinder open communication about the main issue. Look for indications that suggest the other person is uncomfortable with you or the group.

Once you have collected the available "intelligence" separate the issues into those that have an impact on your discussions and those that do not. If any of the issues that are not related can be satisfied with input on your part, offer it during the casual conversation preamble to the serious negotiation. This can be anything from how to get a parking ticket validated to consoling the other person on a personal situation. The goal here is to build a supportive relationship with the person that transgresses the main issue.

For the issues you have uncovered that relate to the matter at hand, separate the "wants" from the "needs". You will want to focus on ways to satisfy the "needs" of the other parry.

Problem solving is the meat of dispute resolution. By expanding the issues being addressed, the parties are providing the opportunity to resolve the dispute by pairing ancillary problem solutions so that both people emerge feeling a sense of victory. Win/Win negotiating is not so much about appeasing both sides as it is about pairing needs and satisfiers so that both parties think that they have come away with more than what they had to give away to reach the agreement.

About the author:

Bill Scarpino is a professional negotiator and restructuring consultant. He writes about how people negotiate almost everything in their daily lives from personal issues to business challenges.

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Brainpower... Ten Problem Solving Techniques Do you ever need to find some good ideas, or come up with a solution for a persistent problem? Learn some simple problem solving techniques, and start applying them. Choose a few of the methods below, and get in the habit of using them in your personal life and your business. Problem Solving Techniques 1. Clarify what a successful solution is, and that will guide your efforts. In fact, sometimes just clarifying the desired outcome will suggest immediate solutions. 2. Get opinions and/or advice from several people. They might have good ideas, and you'll be sure you're not overlooking the obvious. Also, you clarify a problem when you explain it, and that may help in itself. 3. Challenge assumptions. Are you trying to solve the wrong problem? Do you really need a vacation, or is your job the problem? Don't let your assumptions limit your possible solutions. 4. Break it into parts, and solve the parts individually. Many problems are really a collection of smaller, easier-to-solve problems. 5. Change perspectives. What would the problem look like if you were rich, poor, or from another planet. Einstein imagined riding on a beam of light, which lead to his theory of relativity, so this technique has been known to work. 6. Solve the problems while you sleep. Leave a tape recorder or pen and paper next to the bed for those middle-of-the-night ideas. 7. Write it down, and then find another way to express the problem. Write down all solutions and ideas that come to mind. Later you can pick the diamonds out of the dirt. 8. Try "random presentation." This is a fun one. Randomly pick an object and ask what it might teach you about your problem. A speed limit sign might suggest that you're growing your company too fast, for example. Don't be too dismissive of all the...