You’re in a conflict with a stakeholder. What are the most effective ways to negotiate?

When in conflict with a stakeholder, the most effective negotiation strategy involves identifying the root cause of the conflict. Begin by actively listening to the stakeholder's concerns and perspectives. Ask clarifying questions to understand their underlying interests and motivations. Maintain open communication and focus on collaborative problem-solving to find mutually beneficial solutions. Avoid blame and stay objective to reach a resolution that addresses the root cause of the conflict.

Other times, the conflict may be due to competing or incompatible goals, values, or preferences, which require more creativity and compromise to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Antes de qualquer coisa, praticar a escuta ativa. É muito importante conhecer as motivações dos discordantes e buscar soluções aceitáveis e negociáveis. A análise dos perfis das partes interessadas também é muito válida. Tratar cada um como protagonista em seu campo de atuação, compreendendo sua linguagem e demonstrando o valor da diversidade de opiniões em benefício do todo é uma habilidade importante, que com o tempo ajudará a criar um ambiente de respeito e colaboração em outras frentes. Nem sempre é fácil, mas vale o esforço, pois trata-se de uma conquista com boa chance de se tornar perene.

As a project manager, conflicts inevitably arise with stakeholders if expectations aren’t properly aligned. When facing any disagreement or clash with an stakeholder, I take time to get to the heart of what catalyzed friction in the first place. Rather than make assumptions or assign blame, I have an open and earnest dialogue to understand the stakeholder’s perspective, priorities, and concerns that may feed the contention. I ask thoughtful questions, listen intently to responses, and reflect back what I hear without judgement to show care for their vantage point. That way, I can objectively figure out the root cause of the conflict.

There’re always 2 sides of the story because most conflicts involve some type of misunderstanding. Add 3 steps to your negotiation: 1. Assess urgency. Not all stakeholders are the same: internal, external, the funder, or supplier of goods/talent. If the project's day to day work relies on the stakeholder, it’s in your best interest to resolve the conflict as soon as possible. In some cases, not doing anything right away works in your favor. 2. LISTEN! Stakeholders want your attention. Give them the attention by active listening to their side of the story without acting defensive. Clarifying the narrative they’ve committed to helps you better devise a conflict resolution strategy. 3. No email negotiations. Engage in 2-sided communications!

Have a conversation. Find common ground. Most often the end goal is the same. The difference is just getting there. Listen. Evaluate. Communicate.

Rapport and trust can facilitate communication, cooperation, and collaboration, and reduce hostility, resistance, and suspicion. To build rapport and trust, you need to show respect, empathy, and sincerity, and avoid aggression, manipulation, and deception.

Active listening to the stakeholders is key to identify their needs and motivation, and to be able to propose a compromise that will solve the situation

I would suggest to employ perspective-taking and confirm your assumptions through transparent dialogue. Here the advice of Henry Ford “If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own.

Si el conflicto es de bajo impacto y no afecta al éxito del proyecto, podrías evitar entrar en una discusión innecesaria y centrarte en las tareas prioritarias. Si el conflicto es de alto impacto y tú tienes la autoridad o el respaldo para tomar la decisión final, podrías competir y defender tu posición, explicando las razones y los beneficios de tu propuesta. Si el conflicto es de bajo impacto y la otra parte tiene un interés legítimo o una relación valiosa con el proyecto, podrías acomodar su solicitud, siempre que no comprometa la calidad o el alcance del proyecto.