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The Keys to Conflict Resolution: Proven Methods of Resolving Disputes Voluntarily
What do the NFL, the A.F.L.-C.I.O., and the U.S. government have in common? All have been clients of Theodore Kheel. Here, the master mediator describes the ten commandments for negotiators and shows how applying a soft touch produces results in any situation.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 22, 2018
From page 14:
"It is sometimes said that negotiation should be conducted on a level playing field. That ideal would call for both sides to possess relatively equal bargaining strength, to be equally sophisticated in bargaining strategies and to enjoy the same good or bad fortune in the negotiations."
I don't agree with this presentation of the argument that negotiation needs a level playing field. Maybe this is like saying that a level playing field would require both sides of a football game to have equal strength of players, the same skill at strategy and "the same good or bad fortune in the" game?! Actually, the field is just the field isn't it? As a mediator, I need to be impartial and offer a level playing field by offering both sides equal time and space to play their parts of the negotiation. Two unmatched or unequal teams can still play on a level playing field. Or else, either team could ask for a different field. That assumes another one is available, of course. Sometimes at the small claims court there's one mediator available before the chance to mediate is gone and the case goes back to the judge.
"But in real life, of course, the playing field is never completely level. The main difference is usually the relative bargaining strength and skills of the respective negotiators."
Strength and skills of players are beside the point of whether there can be a level playing field. Great care can be made to at least set the field to be level by the mediator or mediators. Now, it seems to me that the main real useful idea here of the author seems to be that skills and strategy can help against bargaining strength. Sure. I agree with that; this is why I'm reading this book. Let's not tear up and muddy the field though, okay? And, let's try not to leave a boulder of an idea in the field that might prevent a fair, balanced, unbiased situation to be created to work out whatever imbalance of skill and strength that might exist due to many other factors.
I'm not sure if I want to read more of this now. Where else might sloppiness in the definition or presentation of terms and key ideas mess things up?
"It is sometimes said that negotiation should be conducted on a level playing field. That ideal would call for both sides to possess relatively equal bargaining strength, to be equally sophisticated in bargaining strategies and to enjoy the same good or bad fortune in the negotiations."
I don't agree with this presentation of the argument that negotiation needs a level playing field. Maybe this is like saying that a level playing field would require both sides of a football game to have equal strength of players, the same skill at strategy and "the same good or bad fortune in the" game?! Actually, the field is just the field isn't it? As a mediator, I need to be impartial and offer a level playing field by offering both sides equal time and space to play their parts of the negotiation. Two unmatched or unequal teams can still play on a level playing field. Or else, either team could ask for a different field. That assumes another one is available, of course. Sometimes at the small claims court there's one mediator available before the chance to mediate is gone and the case goes back to the judge.
"But in real life, of course, the playing field is never completely level. The main difference is usually the relative bargaining strength and skills of the respective negotiators."
Strength and skills of players are beside the point of whether there can be a level playing field. Great care can be made to at least set the field to be level by the mediator or mediators. Now, it seems to me that the main real useful idea here of the author seems to be that skills and strategy can help against bargaining strength. Sure. I agree with that; this is why I'm reading this book. Let's not tear up and muddy the field though, okay? And, let's try not to leave a boulder of an idea in the field that might prevent a fair, balanced, unbiased situation to be created to work out whatever imbalance of skill and strength that might exist due to many other factors.
I'm not sure if I want to read more of this now. Where else might sloppiness in the definition or presentation of terms and key ideas mess things up?
March 28, 2012
I am sure Mr. Kheel is a very brilliant negotiator, mediator, and arbitrator. He has certainly been involved with major disputes and had the the ear of titans of industry and presidents alike. I really wanted to like this book, but I found myself being bored by the writing. I was hoping for something more instructional and less autobiographical.
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November 17, 2015As seen in FYI: For Your Improvement.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews