ABSTRACT
Whether we are contracting with the group, handling differences or 'selling' the task to the team, negotiation skills are an essential part of the facilitator's repertoire. The individual negotiation skills are regarding communication; regarding perception; and regarding people skills. When negotiating with the whole group or mediating within the group, bear in mind the following: using the agreed aims and objectives of the group, test out with the group the relevance of issues raised; and promote and reward collaborative working by building on everybody's contributions. Much of UK culture and business, however, is based on a win-lose approach which can lead to: stalemate between group members; members interrupting each other; members not listening to each other; and pairings and power blocks being formed which cause splits in the group.
