If you are a new business owner, entering negotiations with vendors, clients or even employees can be stressful. There can be a lot at stake in these situations, and getting too emotional or upset can result in unwise decisions.
To avoid missing out on a deal or making a bad deal in the heat of emotions, consider these tips for how to calm yourself down during a business negotiation.
Focus on your physical responses
Your expressions and body language say a lot about your feelings, which you may not want during a negotiation. And your physical responses can ramp up the stress and anxiety you may be experiencing.
To counter this, you can utilize calming techniques, including:
- Taking deep breaths
- Relaxing your muscles
- Grounding your hands on the table and your feet on the ground
- Drinking some water
- Massaging pressure points, like the webbing between your thumb and forefinger
These techniques can help you feel and look calmer.
Take a break
Whether a negotiation is tense or you have reached a point where you cannot make progress, taking a break can be crucial. Walking away for a few minutes or a few days can help you clear your mind and get some space, which can help you assess your options or think of new, creative solutions.
You might take a walk outside, talk to a trusted loved one or just leave the room for a few minutes to feel calmer.
Review your notes
Gathering your thoughts can make it easier to regain a sense of control. Take a minute and review your notes, whether that includes contracts, charts or lists you’ve made for yourself. Refreshing these important elements in your mind can help you get back on track if you feel yourself losing control.
Of course, this will involve thoroughly preparing the necessary documentation before the meeting. If you are prepared and organized, you set yourself up for a successful negotiation.
Listen, listen, listen
During a heated exchange, you could do or say something you don’t mean or something that compromises a business deal. You can avoid this by focusing on listening more than you are talking. Listen to the other party, your attorney or other professionals who may have valuable information that helps you make decisions.
These tips can help you stay calm and in control during a stressful negotiation.