LOOK FOR VALUE IN THE OTHER PARTY's OFFERS AND CoMMENTs
Agree with the other party's points, if they are valid. Try to keep your dia- logue "we" oriented rather than "us-them" so you don't create an opposi- tional conversation. For instance, suppose your counterpart offers the following: "I totally disagree with you. My team was totally disrespected. We contribute so much more to this project. Our folks put in more hours and weekends than anyone. That's why we need to renegotiate our share of the profits, which should go to 50 percent." How should you respond? There is anxiety and frustration in the other party's statement, so respond- ing in-kind will only fan the flames. Saying "That's a bunch of crock" for example, will only exacerbate the problem. So will saying something like,