Thoughts and Insights by Michael Gregory

This is how to be happy at work and life

hen we are happier at work, we are more engaged, more productive and we have a sense of purpose. In short there is no one right answer, because we all define happiness a little differently, but with a shift in our thinking we can have a sense of purpose, be engaged, have greater resilience, and be kinder to others.

This is one way to manage conflict at work

Often when two parties are in a conflict with one another, one party feels more aggrieved than another. At other times the conflict is symmetric and both parties feel equal coming into a negotiation. This commentary addresses how to evaluate the situation when the situation is asymmetric and what can be done when one party feels very aggrieved and the other does not share in this perception.

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 how to listen better with difficult people

You know how it is. You have been to training and you know that you are supposed to do. You are supposed to listen. You are supposed to be empathetic and develop a relationship. That is great in theory, but what about with a difficult person. 

This is how business advisors help business owners

I met with a business valuer that provides business owners with valuations.  We discussed the ways that business advisors help business owners.  Based on this discussion and follow up from that discussion I wanted to share some ideas with you.

This is how to enhance collaboration with your team and in a negotiation

Whether in business or in a negotiation, how can you improve collaboration? This can be difficult in business and especially in a negotiation with a difficult party. You have to work to keep your team focused and to help your team to stay focused and keep their eye on the ball. It is important not to be distracted by personalities, negative commentary and other distractions. So what should you do?

This is How to Work with a Difficult Hard Bargainer

What is a difficult hard bargainer and how can you possibly work with such a person? We all run into folks like this at times. This can cause frustration and consternation. Do we take the time to explore what is behind this negative approach? Should we? How would we do that if we did? How can we work with them?

Want Collaboration? Spend Quality Time with Others

Personal attention is one of the keys for collaboration.  What does personal attention mean?  We tend to focus on quality time with friends and family, but how can this play out at work or in a negotiation?

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.