NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES

February 2014
Raphael Lapin

ADVICE, STRATEGY,  MEDIATION,  SETTLEMENT FACILITATION, COACHING & TRAINING TO GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WORLD-WIDE

 

THE TOWER
10940 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, Suite 1600
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024

Tel: 888-964-8884

Dear Clients and Friends

 

WHY CAN MEDIATION WORK EVEN WHEN NEGOTIATIONS FAIL

 

In  this February '14 edition of  NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES is a one-minute read in which we explain why mediation is worth considering even after negotiations fail. For your reading convenience, we also distill these lessons into a brief lessons learned at the end of the column.

 

Please feel free to forward this column or to share it via facebook, linkedin or twitter by clicking on the appropriate icons. If you know anyone who would like to subscribe, they can subscribe by replying to this email or via our website at

www.conflict-management.net

 

Learn more About Lapin Negotiation Strategies  and ways in which we can make a high impact and a demonstrable and substantive difference to your organization.

 

With Best Wishes 

Sincerely,

Raphael Lapin

WHY CAN MEDIATION WORK EVEN AFTER NEGOTIATIONS FAIL
INTRODUCTION

Very often, in both civil disputes and international conflict, we find that after all efforts in negotiation have been exhausted and have failed dismally, the dispute goes to mediation where it is magically resolved. Since mediation is defined as "assisted and facilitated negotiation", one must ask what is it about the process of mediation, and the skills of the mediator that can help to resolve a dispute that appeared intractable during negotiations?  What additional ingredients are added to the mix that were missing before mediation and appeared to make all the difference?  Why and how do the dynamics change once a third neutral party is introduced?

 

Although there is a range of forces at work and a variety of techniques and disciplines at play when a skilled mediator enters the fray, I will highlight but a few in this column. My intent is to educate the discerning public and to instill confidence on the part of the consumer, in mediation, as a very viable, effective and efficient alternative in the dispute resolution process continuum.

PROCESS

Many negotiators do not have a negotiation process that they follow and their approach is an ad hoc one. A "process vacuum" develops and under those circumstances, negotiators typically react to one another rather than guiding and leading the negotiations with a productive, constructive and efficient process. This "reactionary" negotiation usually becomes adversarial, emotional and unproductive.

 

A well-trained mediator can direct the negotiations with a tight process framework that funnels and focuses the discussions, questions and information at all times. This results in an efficient  and purposeful proceeding,  productive dialogue and constructive communication. As such, one of the critical roles of the mediator is process expert and manager which allows for otherwise stalled negotiations to advance successfully.

EMOTIONS

In many disputes, emotions are at the core of the dispute, and if not at the core, at the very least, obstruct resolution when left unchecked. Typically, litigation proceedings that attempt to resolve disputes based on legal principles alone, often exacerbates the emotional element of the dispute and only  delays serious settlement discussions. 

 

When parties who have not been trained in effective negotiation technique, attempt negotiation, it usually spirals into a cycle of adversarial posturing and defensive tactics which also exacerbates the emotional element.  When emotions are not being addressed, resolution will be elusive.

 

A skilled mediator works her magic - she understands the toxicity of emotions and how they obstruct resolution. She is capable of managing and addressing those emotions in a way that diffuses them without becoming explosive and destructive. She is  able to recognize when the emotions have adequately been dealt with so that she can then redirect the parties towards collaborative problem solving. 

PERSPECTIVE

Often parties in a dispute become locked into their particular perceptions and positions and have difficulty seeing it in any other way. These positions are usually polarizing and fuel the conflict rather than douse it. In negotiations, this sort of dynamic can lead to impasse quite rapidly - a situation which untrained negotiators will have difficulty extracting themselves from.

 

Good mediators have the ability to re-frame old problems in new, innovative and refreshing ways and unanticipated perspectives. For example, in a custody dispute with warring spouses each claiming the other to be an unfit parent, a skilled mediator may re-frame the issue by articulating two very different parenting philosophies, each  quite legitimate in its own right, even if not championed by the other. Or in a dispute between two business partners, a competent mediator may identify two very different but legitimate management styles at the core of the dispute. Often, the new perspective will be the key with which to unlock the negotiation and advance a mutually acceptable resolution.

 

Even when negotiations are not producing results or seem to have reached an intractable impasse, consider mediation as a very viable alternative to resolve the dispute without the extremely costly, excessive  and unattractive option of fighting in court!

Lessons LESSONS LEARNED 
  • When negotiations fail, consider mediation as a high potential alternative

  • In selecting a mediator, ask him or her about the process they advocate and how they intend to manage it 

  • Question them about how relevant they think the emotional component is and how  they  might deal with it 

  • Request examples of how they unlocked seemingly intractable disputes in previous mediations

  • Look for signs of an innovative and creative approach

About1About Lapin Negotiation Strategies 

 

Lapin Negotiation Strategies offers training, consulting, advising and executive coaching in negotiation, business diplomacy and dispute resolution services.

 

Our proprietary and aggressively results oriented services are designed to help your leadership, teams and individuals master the essential negotiation, relationship-building and conflict management skills that increase revenues, decrease the high cost of conflict and build strong working relationships.

Our skilled specialists will:
  • Help your organization build a highly effective negotiation competency and culture which translates into increased revenue and strong business relationships.
  • Develop high impact, customized learning systems to develop advanced skills and powerful techniques in negotiation, dispute resolution and relationship management.
  • Provide advice, strategy, guidance and representation in live negotiation challenges
  • Facilitate, mediate and advise in dispute resolution
  • Create a culture of collaboration by guiding and training teams and divisions to engage in dialogue, to negotiate and to partner
                  View my profile on LinkedIn

Raphael Lapin
Principal 

Raphael Lapin, a Harvard trained negotiation and communication specialist. He is adjunct professor of law at Whittier School of Law in Southern California and visiting professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. Raphael trains and advises Fortune 500 companies and governments around the world and is the author of "Working with Difficult People" (DK Penguin Essential Managers Series)
Working with Difficult People
 Learn more about Raphael Lapin's book, "Working with Difficult People" by clicking on the image above