What do you do if your negotiation and conflict resolution skills are lacking as a Thought Leader?

If your negotiation and conflict resolution skills are lacking, self awareness is the best way to understand the strengths and weeknesses. Negotiation is an art you need to develop the skills from stakeholders, team members and experienced persons. Negotiation is not an one time work. You need to learn and practice whenever you get an opportunity. You have to update yourself with the latest trends in the markets and industries. Attend the training, coaching, conferences and webinar classes to learn more about negotiation and conflict resolution techniques and use in daily day to day life to improve further.

Self-assessing is really challenging. Seeking feedback is useful, though it can be biased. It is important to approach this in a way that helps you understand what you lack within negotiation and conflict resolution skills. These are not singular skills, rather they are a bundle of behaviors, skills, general perception, etc. For example, negotiation is often a combination of credibility and influence, communication style, and how folks feel about you (to name a few). If you're experiencing difficulty, seek out some honest feedback on where things are lacking so you can target the correct area of opportunity. It is easy to push the wrong behavior and then end up seeming inflexible, harsh or insensitive.

- Start by conducting a self-assessment of your current negotiation and conflict resolution skills to identify both strengths and weaknesses clearly. - Reflect on your past experiences with negotiation and conflict resolution, analyzing what tactics have succeeded and where you have faced challenges. - Seek constructive feedback from peers and mentors who have witnessed your negotiation and conflict resolution efforts, as their perspectives can provide valuable insights into your performance. - Use the feedback and reflections to identify specific areas for improvement and develop a targeted plan to enhance your skills in these crucial areas.

If your negotiation and conflict resolution skills are lacking as a Thought Leader, consider undertaking formal training through workshops, courses, or certification programs focused on these skills. Practice active listening and empathy to better understand different perspectives. Engage a mentor or coach who excels in negotiation to provide guidance and feedback. Regularly analyze past negotiations to identify improvement areas. Participate in simulations and role-playing exercises to build confidence and competence. Stay informed on new techniques and theories in negotiation and conflict resolution to continuously refine your approach.

The obvious answer is to develop those skills. You are not a thought leader if you cannot negotiate or resolve conflicts because new ideas will always face resistance. You are challenging vested interests, and moving people from their comfort zones. You need to find ways for your ideas to be, not just accepted, but embraced. You develop these skills by gaining a basic understanding through training. Master the basics, then practise. Find a mentor to guide you in your learning journey. Find opportunities to put those skills to use, and have your actions evaluated. Without that evaluation, you have no means of developing, and may simply be perfecting mistakes.

- Identify specific areas of weakness in your negotiation and conflict resolution skills and actively seek resources to enhance these capabilities. - Invest time in reading authoritative books, attending workshops, and participating in courses dedicated to improving negotiation and conflict resolution skills. - Learn from experts and practitioners in the field to acquire new strategies and techniques that are directly applicable to enhancing your thought leadership. - Integrate the acquired knowledge and practical skills into your daily practice, continuously refining your approach to negotiation and conflict resolution as a thought leader.

Implement a structured practice regimen by engaging in simulated negotiation scenarios with a mentor or coach, using real-world conflicts to hone your skills and adapt strategies in a controlled, feedback-rich environment. Join or form a peer learning group dedicated to conflict resolution and negotiation, where members can role-play challenging situations, provide diverse perspectives, and collectively develop a toolkit of effective approaches. Regularly attend workshops and seminars led by negotiation experts, absorbing new techniques and actively participating in live negotiations to build confidence and refine your skill set through continuous, practical experience.