Creative Negotiation Process

1. Incubation

A solution to a problem can pop into our heads out of the blue like the symbolic Eureka!. Without even thinking of the problem, the answer bursts into our mind while eating breakfast or taking out the dog to a walk. To understand how to make this approach work fully to our advantage, here is the four step process.

Preparation - To solve a problem, we need to have all the information we can gather so that it can be completely digested. This information is important because we have to fully understand the nature of the problem to give it full definition.

Mental Break - After our initial attempts to solve the problem have been unsuccessful, put the problem aside and forget about it. Go on to other activities. Let the problem tumble around in the back recesses of your unconscious mind.

Illumination - That's right - the possible solution pops into your head while you're having your tea or watching a movie. It doesn't always happen, but it does happen.

Check it out - Don't jump to a conclusion. It's a possible solution, remember? It has to be checked out so we know it's legitimate. Discuss with other leaders on their opinion about your idea.

2. The Logical Approach

Know the problem - Again, this is a vital step. We have to try and answer the following questions as best we can.

(1) What is known?

(2) What is unknown?

(3) What is the information we are using?

(4) What are our assumptions?

Formulate a plan - Here, we have three choices in devising a plan to solve the problem.

(1) We can use our past experience to find a means to solve the problem.

(2)We can try to seek out problems that are similar and see how they were solved by others.

(3)We may need to restate or re-structure the nature of the problem and then consider any and all possible solutions.

Follow out the plan - Our plan needs to be executed so it can be tested to see whether it works.

Review - Here we should do a feedback loop so we can evaluate what we have learned, and determine whether some other means would have solved the problem.

***Caution***

Be on guard and ask yourself whether you have fallen for any of these traps that might skew your efforts at problem solving.

A) Jumping to a conclusion - We want to have a solution. The problem is that our egos often evaluate solutions that they agree with as compelling, and disregard solutions that we don't agree with or accept. A negotiator needs to be more discerning in how we evaluate all possible solutions or conclusions.

B) Information bias - The other problem we might have to be on guard against is that we often interpret information in a manner that is in harmony with information we already know, and then apply this preconception to our conclusions. This means we may not be evaluating all the available information properly because of our prejudices.

3. Brainstorming Strategy

One of the main obstacles to creative thinking is our tendency to evaluate ideas prematurely. Two or more heads could be more collectively creative than one. It is needless to say, generally used as a group approach to creative problem solving.

The truth is that most of us don't use brainstorming effectively because we perceive it as some form of idea melee that engages the group. Surprise! It's not - brainstorming has rules, and they were developed for a purpose. The key point to learn is not to judge anyone else ideas during the process.

I. Expressiveness - Group members should express any idea that comes to mind, no matter how strange, weird, or fancy they are. Group members are encouraged not to be constrained or timid. They should freewheel whenever possible.

II. Non-evaluation – DO NOT criticize ideas. Group members should not evaluate any of the ideas in any way during the generation phase; all ideas should be considered valuable.

III. Quantity - Group members should generate as many ideas as possible. Groups should strive for quantity; the more ideas, the better. Quantity of ideas increases the probability of finding excellent solutions.

IV. Building - Because all of the ideas belong to the group, members should try to modify and extend the ideas suggested by other members of the group whenever possible.