Thoughts and Insights by Michael Gregory

Negotiating a Covenant Not to Compete as an Employee

A tough negotiation between an employee and his or her employee can seem like a one-way negotiation when the employer says sign this.  After all the employer may approach the employee with a covenant not to compete as a take it or leave it situation. In this scenario the employee may feel that he or she has little choice.  The reality is that may be true on the one hand. On the other hand, there are a host of things to consider and ways to provide constructive feedback.  Some key negotiating topics for consideration are presented here for consideration.  This can be made into a win-win scenario when needs are addressed and each party listens to the concerns of the other.

When Core Values Are Involved – Negotiations May Be More Difficult

When we are in conflict with others we should not focus on beliefs.

Take Advantage of The Collaboration Effect – with Relationships

The Collaboration Effect TM has four elements. These four elements are to build connecting relationships, actively listen, judiciously educate and negotiating closure. These four elements may be intertwined. The key is to address all four areas in roughly the order presented, but making sure to address all four elements for a more successful negotiation. The focus of this commentary is on relationships.

How Can You Foster Inclusion at Work?

In today’s rapidly changing fast paced world what does inclusion mean?  Whether this be ethnic, racial, cultural, class, religious, disability, sexual orientation, gender or generational there is a clear focus on diversity in the workplace, but diversity by itself does not mean inclusion.  This article looks at how to go from simply hiring for diversity to inclusion where everyone feels valued.  

How can older generations partner with new entrants to the work force?

Looking at younger millennials entering the work force this is what older millennials, generations X’rs and baby boomers can do to enhance communication, understanding and effectiveness. Why?  To train and retain top quality talent and have better relationships and  negotiations.  As a person that focuses on conflict resolution and collaboration I want to share some insights with you that addresses this question.

Collaboration is key to a great agreement

This is common sense, but not everyone has the same amount of common sense.  At the end of this article the Program on Negotiation at the Harvard Law School provides additional commentary on this topic.  What is a great agreement?  Is that one when you win as much as you can?  It can be argued that instead, a great agreement is when both parties mutually create a much better agreement than either would have crafted by themselves.  Think about having a larger pie may be the better outcome for you and the other party than simply having a larger piece or even the entire smaller pie. This concept has been proven time and time again to be the best approach to a truly great agreement.

This is how to negotiate and motivate millennials

This article focuses on some basic elements that have proven successful and are forcing businesses to change how they hire, train and retain top talent. Millennials are driven to succeed when they are treated with respect, with an employer that is focused on its workers, with management is transparent and most importantly when there is a collaborative environment. It’s not that complex, but it takes effort to make these things happen. It doesn’t just happen.

When should you not be transparent when developing trust?

Trust is critical in a negotiation, mediation or collaboration. Trust can be defined as being straightforward, open, accepting and responsible, but when are times when you should not be open? That is the focus of this commentary.

This is how you build trust at the bargaining table in business

Here are some very specific ideas to help you in any negotiation. You begin your investigation into the parties and process as a first step. Your goal is to build a good and as solid a relationship as possible. 

This is when you should walk away from a negotiation

When is it time to walk away from a negotiation? In short, when a trusted third-party advisor counsels you that is time to let it go. When mediation is not an option. When you are focused on sunk costs to recover rather than pertinent information now. When your focus is on fairness rather than objective criteria. There are many reasons why negotiations fail and why collaboration may not work. After all collaboration is hard. If the other party does not want to collaborate that pretty well ends the reason for trying to go forward.