Communication and Negotiation

Question 1

What is good communication?

Answer 1

• Agree client’s objectives
• Research / prep inc. SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)

Question 2

What is good negotiation?

Answer 2

• Prep ‘win-win’ or common ground or fall back position
• Negotiables and non-negotiables
• Understand other party’s position
• Method of communication (email / phone)
• Partnership rather than adversarial approach
• Maintain communication
• Walk away when need to

Question 3

What did you learn in Presenting with Impact CPD?

Answer 3

• Strong stance
• Project voice
• Presentation aids where necessary
• Eye contact
• Tailor presentation to audience

Question 4

What did you learn in Negotiation Skills CPD?

Answer 4

• Prepare win-win
• Know fall back position
• Method of communication (phone call / in person helps build relationship)
• Recognise achievement of your best position for agreement

Question 5

Provide an example of good communication?

Answer 5

Presentation on Unconscious Bias

• Reviewed articles and research to understand concept and felt comfortable discussing it publicly
• Spoke with sensitivity to generate a safe environment for colleagues to ask questions

Question 6

What is Unconscious Bias?

Answer 6

Prejudice / stereotype an individual holds about a certain person / group that they aren’t consciously aware of having

Question 7

What is an example of Unconscious Bias?

Answer 7

• Halo effect: Focusing on one positive trait (E.g. A recruiter sees a candidate graduated from a prestigious university and assumes they would excel at their job). Avoid by conducting multiple interviews and diversifying your interview panel.
• Affinity bias: Similarity bias whereby favour people who have similar interests / backgrounds / experiences (E.g. Might give a colleague a promotion over someone else if they are similar to you and you get on well). Avoid by ensuring that promotions are given based on experience gained within company and completing work to a high standard - through scoring matrix’s.

Question 8

Provide another example of good negotiation?

Answer 8

Governance Document - CAF for RIBA Stage 1 PEC

• Reviewed previous governance documents to understand what info I’d need to start collecting (EHS info like risks, Sustainability info like Sustainability Strategy, whether aiming for accreditations, social value considerations)
• Liaised with colleagues and consultant team to outline what I needed from them (EHS expert, Sustainability expert)
• Individual meetings with each RLT stakeholder to negotiate agreeable terms and obtain endorsement
• Ensured all info was in CAF paper and stakeholders were aligned