Bridging the Divide: Transforming Conflict through Interest-Based Solutions
Last updated: October 08, 2024 Read in fullscreen view
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The story of the orange teaches valuable negotiation principles. Avoid arguing or compromising, focus on needs, and communicate clearly to minimize conflicts. This approach increases the chances of a win-win outcome.
The Dilemma of the Orange
There was once only one orange left in a kitchen and two prominent chefs were fighting over it.
"I need that orange !"
"Yes, but I need that orange as well !"
Time was running out and they both needed an orange to finish their particular recipes for the President's dinner. They decided on a compromise: they grabbed one of the large kitchen knives that was lying around, split the orange in half, and each went to his corner to finish preparing his meal.
One chef squeezed the juice from the orange and poured it into the special sauce he was making. It wasn't quite enough, but it would have to do. The other grated the peel and stirred the scrapings into the batter for his famous cake. He too didn't have as much as he would have liked, but given the situation, what else could he have done?
The better solution may seem obvious to you now: both chefs would have been better off if they had peeled the orange and had simply taken the part they needed. Instead, the chefs had focused on each other's position (the what) and not on each other's interest (the why).
The Negotiator's Dilemma: Creating and Claiming Value
In a negotiation, it is important to be able to distinguish between positions and interests - both yours and the parties' with whom you are negotiating. Depending on which one you decide to focus on will affect your negotiation style and influence the outcomes.
For example, you may insist on a higher salary to cover the costs of daycare for your child, but you never explain to your potential employer the reason why. The potential employer is unwilling to give your a greater salary because he is afraid of inequity among your future colleagues. With an understanding of why you want a greater salary, the potential employer could inform you that they are in the process of developing free daycare in the company building.
This post is about a small part of interest based bargaining. If you’re interested in learning more about advanced negotiation techniques, you can read the best-selling book by Roger Fisher and William Ury: Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
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