Negotiating and Compromising with Difficult People

Physicians don't learn about these types of things during medical school. Who's heard of "conflict resolution" courses during medical school? Well, if you're interested in the business world of health care, make sure you have some solid leadership skills so that you can manage conflict in the workplace. Dale Carnegie has an article titled, "12 Tips for Negotiating and Compromising with Difficult People" and here's a short summary of the advice they offer:

Negotiating is the process of attempting to agree on a solution. Compromising, or settling on a mutually agreeable solution, is the result of successful negotiations. Compromise is all about being flexible. It means being able to generate alternate solutions when you've "hit the wall." Whether it involves a person you can't get along with, an idea you know will work but that others are reluctant to agree to, a change in office systems, or a turf war that needs ending, learning to negotiate and compromise is essential to your success.

1. Have a positive attitude.
2. Meet on mutual ground.
3. Clearly define and agree on the issue.
4. Do your homework.
5. Take an honest inventory of yourself.
6. Look for shared interests.
7. Deal with facts, not emotions.
8. Be honest.
9. Present alternatives and provide evidence.
10. Be an expert communicator.
11. End on a good note.
12. Enjoy the process.

To read the complete article on Dale Carnegie, click here.

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