Question

What are the most prevalent myths about negotiation, and how do these myths hamper people's ability to learn effective negotiation skills?

Answer 1

Myth 1) Negotiations are fixed sums — whatever is good for one person must be bad for the other group, the reality is that they are a variable sum can't be too trusting
Myth 2) You need to be tough or soft — shouldn't be too hard or too soft, should be driven and work effectively.
Myth 3) Good negotiators are born- naturally talented negotiators are rare practice and feedback are needed for effective negotiation
Myth 4) Life experience is a great teacher-This is true but partly only as experience can improve negotiation skills-however, experience without feedback is not effective, people's memories are selective - achievements are remembered and failures are forgotten, one's confidence may get increased through experience but it can't be said the same about the accuracy
Myth 5) Good negotiators take risks — hard negotiators are rarely effective, they need to know how to evaluate risks
Myth 6) Good negotiators rely on intuition — Negotiations require deliberate thinking and preparation, and good negotiators are structured, depending not on instinct, but on plans