Don't Beat Around The Bush When Negotiating

In fact, I would go step further. If people are not honest and straightforward with you in the work of negotiations, I'd recommend avoiding deals with such people. Unless you have absolutely no other choice, and they  always have other choices, avoid deals with individuals who are not honest and straightforward with you, and who don't communicate openly. In the event you are up front with others when deal making and address deal-breakers and must haves in a straightforward manner, you ought to only expect them to do likewise. It doesn't mean your expectations will be met, but by holding others to the same standards you adhere to, better deals will be made, and the best deals benefit everyone.

Regardless who a person is, or what you are dealing in, I think all of us appreciate straightforwardness and honesty. In negotiations, these are critical. This does not mean they share everything with the other side, after all, negotiations always contain some uncertainty. But they must be honest, and they ought to be straightforward. They ought to expect the same from those they negotiate with.


I keep in mind reading a quote by Donald Trump on being straightforward. He said, "My style of deal making is simple and straightforward. I keep pushing and pushing to get what I am after." I am liking that quote because it makes a point. Being honest and straightforward does not mean being a pushover or being someone that let's others take advantage of them. It is an efficient and better way to make deals. Improbity will kill deals every time. Perceived improbity from beating around the bush will also anger parties and kill deals. It only makes sense to keep away from both actual and perceived improbity in the work of negotiations, not to mention it is the right thing to do. (And they are not even getting in to the fact that some dishonest actions are also illegal and have legal consequences.)

Besides the potential for someone to perceive acts as being dishonest due to beating around the bush, such non-direct approaches can waste valuable resources including both money and time. Not only does it make no sense to waste weeks or months negotiating if critical deal points cannot be reached, but it can anger parties and damage relationships if it is discovered that a party has known the points were unattainable, but refused to be forthright and stalled and beat around the bush in the work of negotiations fully knowing the process was a exercise in futility.

Don't beat around the bush when negotiating. Be honest and straightforward and hold those you negotiate with to the same standards. You'll get more completed, make better deals, and earn the reputation of an honest negotiator who is a straight shooter. All of which will lead you toward success.