Negotiation

Not every conflict requires combat. The Mature Warrior develops negotiation—finding solutions that serve all parties' interests. He stays firm about what matters and creative about how to achieve it.

The Bully uses negotiation as manipulation, seeking only his advantage. The Wimp surrenders everything to avoid conflict. The Mature Warrior negotiates from strength while seeking win-win solutions.

Good negotiation requires several skills:

Clarity about interests: The Warrior knows what he needs versus what he wants. He distinguishes essential from negotiable.

Understanding the other: The Warrior seeks to understand what the other party needs. He looks beneath positions to interests.

Creativity: The Warrior finds new solutions that serve multiple interests. He rejects false either/or choices.

Firmness: The Warrior is clear about his boundaries and bottom lines. He doesn't compromise on what's essential.

Flexibility: The Warrior opens to different paths to his goals. He doesn't insist on one solution.

Patience: The Warrior tolerates the discomfort of negotiation without rushing to agreement or walking away too soon.

Negotiation might mean resolving a business dispute, working out household responsibilities, or finding peaceful solutions to conflicts. The Warrior's ability to negotiate prevents combat while protecting his interests.

When the Warrior negotiates well, conflicts resolve in ways that serve everyone's needs. His negotiation creates lasting agreements rather than temporary truces.

The Warrior who masters negotiation resolves conflicts peacefully while protecting what matters. He creates solutions that serve the whole.