Wikipedia describes T-shirts as a style of unisex fabric shirt named after the T shape of its body and sleeves. It describes their history as follows: The T-shirt evolved from undergarments used in the 19th century. First, the one-piece union suit underwear was cut into separate top and bottom garments, with the top long enough to tuck under the waistband of the bottoms. With and without buttons, they were adopted by miners and stevedores during the late 19th century as a convenient covering for hot environments.
Now they are fashion statements showing off the wearer’s inclinations or interests. Now you would have thought they would all be the same to use. But not so. Some are too short or too long or have stupid messages on them or are not comfortable to wear. Others are just right and are worn again and again and just suit you.
It is the same in transactions and indeed in jobs. In some deals the chemistry works and even in difficult discussions allows the two sides to keep communicating and getting on with each other. In others everybody rubs everybody else up the wrong way and even if you ever get to sign the deal you just know fulfilment and delivery is going to be fraught with problems.
It’s actually quite an interesting topic. This Harvard Law School blog on Six Guidelines for “Getting to Yes” argues that bargainers can and should look for negotiation strategies that can help both sides get more of what they want. By listening closely to each other, treating each other fairly, and jointly exploring options to increase value, negotiators can find ways of getting to yes that reduce the need to rely on hard-bargaining tactics and unnecessary concessions.
In order to have any chance of achieving these sorts of results the negotiators need to establish some form of comfortable rapport between both sides. This Forbes article suggests some ways of doing this (including smiling from time to time) concluding that Smiling, giving it up, taking a long view, stepping back, and going for the win-win — these are simple techniquesactually work.
I also like this blog which states Experienced negotiators know the importance of building a personal relationship before going into business negotiations. A negotiation involves two parties trying to come to a deal when both sides may want different things. An overly heated atmosphere and anger can unravel the most carefully planned deal. You can avoid many problems when you establish a personal relationship with the people who will be on the other side of the negotiating table.
It is pretty much the same in terms of jobs. I remember when I was a partner in a law firm being told that “the right lawyer in the wrong firm” is a disaster no matter how good the lawyer or the firm is. As Steve Jobs said “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” You just can’t do that if you don’t fit in and feel comfortable. It means you end up with the wrong attitude and as Thomas Jefferson commented “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
And coming back to T-shirts Giorgio Armani sums it up nicely when he says “I’ve always thought of the T-shirt as the Alpha and Omega of the fashion alphabet”!
Now they are fashion statements showing off the wearer’s inclinations or interests. Now you would have thought they would all be the same to use. But not so. Some are too short or too long or have stupid messages on them or are not comfortable to wear. Others are just right and are worn again and again and just suit you.
It is the same in transactions and indeed in jobs. In some deals the chemistry works and even in difficult discussions allows the two sides to keep communicating and getting on with each other. In others everybody rubs everybody else up the wrong way and even if you ever get to sign the deal you just know fulfilment and delivery is going to be fraught with problems.
It’s actually quite an interesting topic. This Harvard Law School blog on Six Guidelines for “Getting to Yes” argues that bargainers can and should look for negotiation strategies that can help both sides get more of what they want. By listening closely to each other, treating each other fairly, and jointly exploring options to increase value, negotiators can find ways of getting to yes that reduce the need to rely on hard-bargaining tactics and unnecessary concessions.
In order to have any chance of achieving these sorts of results the negotiators need to establish some form of comfortable rapport between both sides. This Forbes article suggests some ways of doing this (including smiling from time to time) concluding that Smiling, giving it up, taking a long view, stepping back, and going for the win-win — these are simple techniquesactually work.
I also like this blog which states Experienced negotiators know the importance of building a personal relationship before going into business negotiations. A negotiation involves two parties trying to come to a deal when both sides may want different things. An overly heated atmosphere and anger can unravel the most carefully planned deal. You can avoid many problems when you establish a personal relationship with the people who will be on the other side of the negotiating table.
It is pretty much the same in terms of jobs. I remember when I was a partner in a law firm being told that “the right lawyer in the wrong firm” is a disaster no matter how good the lawyer or the firm is. As Steve Jobs said “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” You just can’t do that if you don’t fit in and feel comfortable. It means you end up with the wrong attitude and as Thomas Jefferson commented “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
And coming back to T-shirts Giorgio Armani sums it up nicely when he says “I’ve always thought of the T-shirt as the Alpha and Omega of the fashion alphabet”!
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