Negotiation Is an Opportunity to See Things Differently
When I think about negotiation it conjures images of Wall Street, lawyers in exceptionally tailored suits, and Hollywood hostage situations. The emotions associated with the process – power, that stakes are high, the possible loss of something important – all made me feel outside of my element. My first go-round with negotiating during a search a little over a year ago left me sweaty and nervous. Just the word “negotiation” made me uncomfortable. It felt official, legalistic, and cold.
However, this year I have maintained a particular focus on becoming more comfortable with the power associated with negotiation, what it means to use it and have it, and how it does not have to be a dirty word best left unspoken. The focus on comfort with power felt rather theoretical until the chance to negotiate more frequently occurred. Negotiation struck me as an exceptional practice in power, a clear demonstration of confidence in one’s approach. In my experience, negotiation is the ability to look at opportunities and communicate where you will not settle.
The April 2013 Issue is Available!
Check out the April 2013 issue of The Student Affairs Feature including Redefining Professionalism: Finding Your Authentic Self by Katrina Weizer and articles from Shane Long, Camille Darby, Krista Kohlmann, and Kelly Alvarado. You can also checkout other past issues and find PDF versions in our archives. Enjoy reading!
About The Student Affairs Feature
The Student Affairs Feature highlights one article each week from student affairs professionals. The Student Affairs Feature strives to provide insightful articles discussing topics pertinent to the profession. Each month, articles are compiled into an issue and distributed, for free, as an ebook. The Student Affairs Feature welcomes article submissions for publication.