Evaluating Key Negotiation Skills: Conflict Resolution Strategies

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the skills essential for successful negotiation and conflict resolution, drawing upon the insights of William Ury and other experts in the field. It emphasizes the importance of understanding different approaches to negotiation, including active listening, effective communication, and considering the perspectives of all parties involved. The essay also delves into the role of emotions, interests, and alternative options in reaching mutually beneficial agreements. Furthermore, it explores the application of game theory in conflict situations and highlights the significance of conflict transformation through negotiation and conscientious attitudes. The essay concludes that clear communication, respect, and a focus on shared interests are crucial for effective conflict management and successful negotiation outcomes. Desklib offers a wealth of similar resources, including solved assignments and past papers, to support students in mastering these critical skills.

Running head: ART OF NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Art of Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Name of the student
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Introduction
Negotiation refers to back-and-forth communication that can help in reaching an
agreement between that of two or more parties that has some kind of shared interest that can give
rise to a conflict. It is a process with the help of which we can get something from somebody
who in turn wants something from us. It can be said that both art and science is involved in the
act of negotiation. Science is indicative of the systematic analysis in relation to that of problem
solving. The art side refers to the interpersonal skills and the ability to employ ploys that can
help in resolving conflicts and disputes (RUBIN AND BROWN 2013). Every negotiation is
different from that of the other however basic elements in relation to negotiation remain the
same. This essay analyzes the skills that are essential for the process of negotiation and the
manner in which conflict can be resolved between that of two or more parties.
Discussion
According to Ury, greatest obstacle in relation to successful agreements is not another
party that is involved but “us”. Human beings like to behave in ways that does not serve their
own true interest. Negotiation can be said to be an exercise in relation to the act of influencing.
William Ury has suggested that putting oneself in the shoes of the other party can be
increasingly helpful in the act of negotiation. It can give an individual mental along with
emotional space to listen to that of the other party and comprehend his needs (TING‐
TOOMEY 2015). One should remove himself/herself from that of the situation and watch the
particular scene from that of the distance that can help in creating a perspective. Neutral
observation of the situation and identification of that of the thoughts can help an individual in
staying in place (GOLDBERG ET AL. 2014). An individual should avoid being carried away by

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an event that can help in impartially judging an event. The negative chatter in the head of an
individual can make an individual unbalanced as well as distracted and one should listen to
oneslf with a lot of empathy. The underlying needs of an individual should be identified in order
to accomplish the act of perfect negotiation. One should be attentive of that of the recurrent
feelings of that of disappointment which highlight the case of unmet concern (HORST AND
COLONEL 2012).
An important element of negotiation is that an individual should be able to think of the
alternative options that can help an individual in reaching a deal. An individual should have
confidence regarding the alternative irrespective of what happens during the course of a
negotiation. An individual should have the assumption that the world is friendly that can help an
individual in taking a co-operative approach and mete treatment out to the others like that of
potential partners (SINGLETON 2013). Scarcity is greatly feared by most of the people. Conflict
starts when an individual feels that something is scarce and one should feel as if life is on his
side even though it may seem unfriendly at certain times. Being immersed in a particular thought
or activity can give one a feeling of total focus. Negotiation can be achieved when an individual
does not get lost in the act of resentment regarding the past or anxiety in relation to the future
(GRUBB AND BROWN 2012). Staying in that of the present can provide an individual with
opportunity to change certain things. Cheapest concession that can be made in relation to
negotiation is by giving respect. A significant element in relation to negotiation is that positive
attention should be meted out to other people and others should be treated in the manner in
which we would ourselves like to be treated (ZOHAR 2015). Being polite and listening to the
opinion and views of other people can be helpful in the act of negotiation.

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There are different approaches by taking recourse to which negotiation can be carried
out. Seeing the issue or the situation from the perspective of other people can be immensely
helpful in resolving conflict and aid in the process of negotiation. According to me, William
Ury was right to a great extent when he laid emphasis on the factor of the viewpoints of others.
I think that this kind of noble attitude of thinking can set the stage of negotiation of the different
parties involved. There are differences in relation to perception between that of different parties.
The conflicts in most cases are on the basis of different interpretations of the facts. It is hence
important that both the parties understand the viewpoint of others and the parties putting
themselves in the other’s shoes can help in mitigating conflict (SAARNI 2015). An important
approach in relation to negotiation is that a party should not assume that their worst idea will
turn into actions of that of others parties. A particular party should not blame the other side for
that of the problem. Each side should make an attempt in making proposals that can be appealing
to that of the other side (URY 2015). I think that it is important that all the parties should come
together and be involved in process because their involvement can help in supporting the
outcome that can help in dealing with negotiation.
I think that it is of crucial importance that the people should be separated from that of the
issues- that can prove to be helpful in relation to negotiation. People possess a tendency of
becoming personally involved in that of issues and with the position of the sides. Separating the
people from that of the issues can help in addressing the important issues without damaging that
of the relationships (MENKEL-MEADOW AND SCHNEIDER 2014). I think that it can of great
benefit as it can help an individual in getting a clearer picture of that of the substantive problem.
Emotion is an important source of problems. People react in a negative manner when they feel
that their interests have been threatened. An effective approach in relation to negotiation is that

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emotions should be acknowledged and one should understand the source of the emotions. I
think that is significant that the parties acknowledge the presence of certain emotions even at
times when they see that the feelings are not reasonable. Dismissing the feelings of others as
unreasonable will provoke an emotional response that is more intense. Symbolic gestures like
that of apologies can help in defusing strong emotional responses (WALLENSTEEN 2015).
According to me, communication is another aspect that can help in conflict resolution.
The parties involved often do not listen to that of others parties but they are busy planning that of
their own response. An important approach in relation to negotiation is that active listening
should be employed by the parties in order to avoid conflict and combat problems. Listeners
should be able to give the full attention to that of the speaker and summarize the point of the
speaker that can help in confirming their understanding (FISHER 2016). The speaker should
be able to direct the speech towards that of other parties and lay emphasis on the matter that they
are trying to communicate. Each of the side should avoid blaming that of the other side and
should be able to speak about themselves. The problems of people will not rise on the occasion
of the parties having a good relationship and people should be able to think about each other like
that of partners in negotiation as compared to that of adversaries (AUTESSERRE 2014).
I think that good agreement focus on the interest of the parties rather than that of the
position. The problem should be defined in terms of the underlying interest of the parties that can
help in finding a solution that can satisfy both the parties. Each of the parties have different
interest that underlies their position. The interest may differ between different members. All of
the individuals have basic needs like that of security and that of well-being (FRY AND
BJORKQVIST 2013). After the identification of the interest the parties should be able to discuss
these together. The interest of the parties should be explained in a clear manner that can help the

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other party in understanding the matter from their point of view. Discussions should not focus on
that of past events but rather should conceive of the desired solution (NISHIZAKI AND
SAKAWA 2013).
Conflict is indicative of some kind of friction that arises within the members of a group
when the actions of some members are not accepted by that of another group. Conflict refers to a
kind of social process that gets increased when the different members of the group take side in
the case of a debate (RUBIN AND BROWN 2013). Game Theory can be said to be a theory in
relation to rational decision that occurs in case of conflict situations. Decision makers called
players are available in case of game theory. Strategies are available to that of each player and
the outcome is a result of that of the choice of strategies made by that of the players. Payoffs are
accorded to the players in the case of each of the possible outcome (URY 2015). It is held that
each of the players are rational and his preference ordering of that of the outcome is determined
on the basis of the magnitude of that of the associated payoffs. The Nash Equilibrium is an
important concept in relation to game theory that refers to a stable state in which no player can
gain advantage by the changing of his strategy on unilateral basis (GOLDBERG ET AL. 2014).
This model also assumes that the other parties have not changed their strategies.
Conflict have both life affirming along with life-destroying aspect. They arise on
account of contradictions within that of the structure of the society. Asymmetric relationships
can be transformed by shifting from that of unbalanced to that of balanced relationship. It can
be achieved with the help of negotiation and a conscientious attitude can help an individual in
resolving conflict (SINGLETON 2013). An eclectic approach can help in transforming conflict
that embraces the multi track intervention. Peace constituencies can be built at the level of grass
roots at that of the civil society level and peace alliances between different groups can help in

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bringing about positive changes. I think that conflict transformation is a broad approach that
incorporates that of conflict resolution training with that of the diplomatic intervention. Peace
building can thus be said to be a structure-process. An appropriate strategy that is linked to that
of an appropriate time frame can help in the process of conflict resolution. The nature of the
interventions should be matched to that of the stage of conflict (NISHIZAKI AND SAKAWA
2013). I think that at an early stage of conflict facilitation can prove to be appropriate but on the
event of the conflict reaching that of a high stage power-based mediation can prove to be
immensely beneficial.I think that communication plays an important role in relation to conflict
management. It is found that if the communication is clear then it can help in avoiding conflict.
The thoughts should be put into relevant word that can prove to be an effective step in the
process of conflict resolution. Haphazard thoughts can add to the confusion and give rise to
disagreement. Communications should be done with the help of a common platform that can
help every member of a team in getting the same picture (WALLENSTEEN 2015).
Conclusion:
William Ury was quite right when he suggested that placing oneself in the position of
others can be of great help in the art of negotiation. It can provide a party with the right kind of
emotional space that can help an individual in listening to the view points of others. Distancing
oneself from the situation can help an individual in gauging the situation impartially and provide
the right perspective. An individual will be able to take a co-operative approach if they believes
that the world is friendly. Listening to the views of other people can also be greatly helpful in
dealing with conflicts. Speech should be directed towards that of the other parties and one should
highlight on the important matter that they want to communicate. Blaming the other party should
be avoided and one should clearly put forward their own motive. Changing from that of the

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unbalanced to that of the balanced can help in transforming the asymmetric relationships.
Eclectic approach can help in the transformation of the conflict embracing multi track
intervention. The communication being clear can set the path for the resolution of the conflict.
Thoughts being put into relevant words can help an individual in achieving conflict resolution.

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References:
AUTESSERRE, S., 2014. Peaceland: conflict resolution and the everyday politics of
international intervention. Cambridge University Press.
FISHER, R.J., 2016. Third party consultation: A method for the study and resolution of conflict.
In Ronald J. Fisher: A North American Pioneer in Interactive Conflict Resolution (pp. 37-71).
Springer, Cham.
FRY, D.P. AND BJORKQVIST, K. eds., 2013. Cultural variation in conflict resolution:
Alternatives to violence. Psychology Press.
GOLDBERG, S.B., SANDER, F.E., ROGERS, N.H. AND COLE, S.R., 2014. Dispute
resolution: Negotiation, mediation and other processes. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.
GRUBB, A. AND BROWN, S., 2012. Hostage (crisis) negotiation: the potential role of
negotiator personality, decision-making style, coping style and emotional intelligence on
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