You're negotiating in higher education. What are the most effective ways to get what you want?

Negotiating in higher education can be challenging, but also rewarding. Whether you are a student, faculty, staff, or administrator, you may encounter situations where you need to persuade others, resolve conflicts, or reach agreements. In this article, we will share some effective ways to get what you want in higher education negotiations, based on research and practice.

1 Know your goals

Before you enter a negotiation, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, and why. This will help you communicate your interests and priorities, and avoid getting distracted by irrelevant or unrealistic demands. You should also consider the alternatives and consequences of not reaching an agreement, and how they compare to your goals. This will help you assess your best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA), and set your minimum and maximum acceptable outcomes.

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Ghurmallah Alghamdi

Former president of the Arab Open University Kingdom of Bahrain ( August 2019 to June 2024 ).
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One of my goals at AOU Kingdom of Bahrain 🇧🇭 is to introduce new programs that are needed by the labor market. However, this is not something that I can do with ease . First I need to bench mark and do feasibility analysis. Once done , there is a check list required by the Higher Education Council ( HEC ) Bahrain 🇧🇭 you must make available before you submit your application to HEC . Once ready, you submit the application and wait for approval. If a program is approved then a committee is formed by HEC to visit the university to make sure that the university is ready to launch the program approved. These requirements are availability of laboratories, availability of academic staff , availability of classrooms , textbooks and references.

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Saran Nair

MSc. in Web and Data Science | Data Analyst | AI Analyst | Big Data | Data Science | Data Visualisation | Power BI | Machine Learning | Business Intelligence
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Answering your 'Why' is the most important part. It's important to be specific and as detailed as possible because a lot of the times you could be sacrificing a lot to get there. Quality time with your family, vacations, a well paid job, marriage, money, and when you say 'hold on' to these in order to get higher education then you must also understand that they are not going to wait for you. So getting clarity is of prime importance.

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2 Understand the context

Negotiating in higher education often involves multiple parties, complex issues, and diverse perspectives. You should do your homework and research the background, interests, and needs of the other parties, as well as the norms and expectations of the institution and the field. You should also be aware of the power dynamics, the sources of conflict, and the potential areas of cooperation. This will help you tailor your strategy, identify common ground, and anticipate challenges.

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3 Build rapport and trust

Negotiating in higher education requires establishing and maintaining good relationships with the other parties, especially if you expect to interact with them in the future. You should show respect, empathy, and curiosity, and avoid personal attacks, stereotypes, or assumptions. You should also be honest, transparent, and consistent in your communication, and demonstrate your credibility and competence. This will help you create a positive and cooperative climate, and reduce the risk of misunderstanding or mistrust.

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ATEFEH FERDOSIPOUR

Professor, educator and editor driving AI for the good of humanity.
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Establishing a network and cultivating trusted relationships within the team and with individual colleagues is often crucial for achieving professional goals. In my view, earning the trust of others involves two key aspects: first, aligning our actions with our words and promises; and second, empathizing with others to understand their perspectives. Just as we seek understanding and empathy from our team members, they also rely on us to reciprocate with similar levels of empathy and understanding.

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4 Use integrative bargaining

Negotiating in higher education is not a zero-sum game, where one party's gain is another party's loss. Rather, it is an opportunity to create value and find mutually beneficial solutions. You should use integrative bargaining, which focuses on the underlying interests and needs of the parties, rather than their positions or demands. You should also explore creative options, trade-offs, and concessions, and look for ways to expand the pie, rather than divide it.

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5 Manage emotions and conflicts

Negotiating in higher education can be stressful, frustrating, or emotional, especially if the issues are important, sensitive, or controversial. You should manage your own emotions and conflicts, and help the other parties do the same. You should avoid emotional reactions, such as anger, defensiveness, or anxiety, and instead express your feelings constructively, such as by using "I" statements, active listening, or assertiveness. You should also address the sources of conflict, such as differences in values, goals, or perceptions, and seek to understand and respect them, rather than ignore or dismiss them.

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6 Seek feedback and improvement

Negotiating in higher education is a learning process, and you should seek feedback and improvement after each negotiation. You should reflect on your performance, strengths, and weaknesses, and ask for feedback from the other parties, mentors, or peers. You should also evaluate the outcomes, the process, and the relationships, and identify what worked well, what did not, and what can be done better next time. This will help you develop your skills, confidence, and reputation as a negotiator in higher education.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You're negotiating in higher education. What are the most effective ways to get what you want?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your goals

2 Understand the context

3 Build rapport and trust

4 Use integrative bargaining

5 Manage emotions and conflicts

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

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You're negotiating in higher education. What are the most effective ways to get what you want?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your goals

2 Understand the context

3 Build rapport and trust

4 Use integrative bargaining

5 Manage emotions and conflicts

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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