Let's Talk About It
In negotiation, it helps to know which questions work--and which don't.
One way to look at negotiation is as an extended volley ofQ&A. In the early game, your thoughtful queries will help breakthe ice, assess character and gauge leverage. In the middle game,they'll help you extract information, generate alternatives andfocus the open issues. And in the end game, you will use themskillfully to persuade, pin down and close.
The open-ended question is the closest thing deal-makers have toa Swiss Army knife. These are questions that begin with who, what,where, when, how or why. Because they cannot be answered with asimple yes or no, they will encourage your opponent to talk and,hopefully, give you strategic information. They are valuable at allstages of a deal, but especially so at the beginning, when eachside is sizing up the other. Ask them innocently, if you can. Usethe power of silence. Listen to the answers carefully. With luck,your opponent will tell you far more than he or she should.
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