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When an angry public wants to be heard

When negotiators become upset, they tend to focus on inflict losses to the other party. Confronted with negative publicity, executives tend to forget that they are in a negotiation because they become obsessed with controlling public relations and managing the crisis. Many solutions might be though of but in such circumstances what an angry public wants most if to be heard. It is important to try constructing exchanges with angry parties. Indeed, even when agreements seem impossible, parties often can work together to create value.   


        
            There are 6 principles that can help any organization facing an angry public:

-       Acknowledge the concerns of the other side. This enables to avoid making large concessions.

-       Encourage joint fact finding. This would be possible thanks to a shared analysis or forecast. It is important to bring reliable and unbiased date to the negotiating table.

-       Offer contingent commitments. After joint fact finding has narrowed and grounded the dispute, the next step is to develop contingent commitments that will satisfy both sides.

-       Accept responsibility, admit mistakes and share power. In some circumstances, only and admission of responsibility for par harm will clear the war for the agreements. Injured parties need to feel that their plight has been acknowledged and that the mistake will not be repeated.

-       Act in a trustworthy manner at all times. For that, say what you mean and mean what you say.


-       Focus on building long-term relationships and for that always give the other side the benefit of the doubt as you would do with the people closest to you.

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