Blog Post #5

The three approaches of bargaining ethics include the tension between creating and distributing value, the tension between empathy and assertiveness, and the tension between principals and agents. Each of these have a different meaning and are able to come together to make a deal or to settle a dispute. It is important that you are able to have a fixed amount of value since negotiations are distributive. You are unlikely to create new value if you try to affect the distribution of that value. Since negotiations are distributive, it is efficient that you provide everyone value equally so that everyone has a fair share. You need to have an open mind while you negotiate and that you don't provide too much information or value for everyone to know since that can make or break the conversation. Empathy verses assertiveness is important during negotiations since you want to figure out and understand how the other side is feeling and thinking. By figuring out what the other sides's empathy is, you can help that person out by solving their problems to ensure that you will get better quality goods in return. By illustrating that you understand what the other person is thinking, you are able to demonstrate questions that will help provide useful information while listening closely during the negotiation. You should express your own interests with intelligence and confidence so that you feel more better about what you are bringing to the table. If you can be empathetic and assertive, you can be a skilled negotiator as time goes on. By figuring out the other sides wants and needs during the negotiation, you will get a better idea on what they are trying to illustrate. Lastly, being a principal versus serving as an agent is two different aspects that you can be during a negotiation. Being an agent consists of someone representing themselves as being fair and also be effect towards everyone during the negotiation. While being a principal consists of someone having personal interests that are not similar to those individuals on their team. It is important that you acknowledge what is being brought to the table so that everyone is aware of the problems that are being addressed. It is beneficial that you are an equal and open minded person so that everyone can interact well with others in the group.

The 'school' that I subscribe to or aspire to subscribe to is #1, which is the tension between creating and distributing value. It is beneficial that you are distributing value all throughout the negotiation so that everyone has the potential to expand on what is being negotiated about. The more value that you bring to the table, the more information that will be talked about and will have interest in. You also need to make sure that you don't mention too much information or value during the negotiation since you don't want the other party to know what you are thinking. By just giving enough information to the other side, it will allow for more of a discussion and batting between each side.