When was the last time you walked away from a conversation happy with the results? Most of us tend to agree to terms just to avoid creating tension or putting ourselves in uncomfortable positions. But, these situations are proof of why negotiation skills are a powerful tool in both our personal and professional lives.
That’s the lesson that Calvin walked away with after attending our Professional Skills workshop, Win-Win Negotiations: Agile Thinking, Mutual Commitment. This two-day workshop (UTAP claimable) taught him the NEGRPO model that he’s now able to apply in daily life and work situations.
Through the NEGPRO model, he was given a practical framework to navigate negotiations. This negotiation skills training focuses on the intent behind the ask and identifying positions, giving you actionable tools that work in everyday and professional situations.
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What our partcipant said about our Professional Skills workhops Calvin ‘If someone is considering whether a course like this is worth the personal investment, I would say yes. Negotiation is not a skill that only applies to very formal business situations. It shows up in many parts of work and life—when you manage stakeholders, align expectations, discuss resources, push back on unreasonable terms, or simply try to reach a better outcome through conversation.' |
What negotiating is and what it isn’t
By definition, a negotiation is a strategic discussion between two or more people to reach an agreement through compromise or mutual understanding. Yet, many people still think of negotiations as a battle to win.
Negotiations shouldn’t be viewed as something you have to win, but rather an opportunity to create value for both parties involved. A good negotiator is someone who gets what they want, but not at the expense of the other person.
Our Professional Skills workshop, Win-Win Negotiations: Agile Thinking, Mutual Commitment, equips participants with negotiation skills that help produce favourable outcomes for both parties. Instead of teaching you to be aggressive, we teach you to negotiate with clarity and intent.
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What our partcipant said about our Professional Skills workhops Calvin ‘I realised that I do not have to choose between being nice and being effective. The workshop helped me understand that good negotiation is not about being aggressive, but about being prepared, clear, and intentional while still respecting the other party.' |
How strong negotiation skills can benefit you
Shortly after attending the workshop, Calvin was presented with a real-life situation where he successfully applied the NEGPRO model when negotiating the rental terms of a new apartment in Singapore.
1. The problem: Calvin’s landlord wanted a two-month deposit
In Singapore, the typical market standard for a one-year lease is a one-month deposit. However, Calvin’s landlord was asking for a two-month deposit. After a lot of back-and-forth between the agent, Calvin and the landlord, they had come to a deadlock.
2. The real concern: The landlord’s concern was actually payment reliability
Rather than pushing back on the landlord’s position, Calvin looked past the demand and questioned why the landlord was insisting on a two-month deposit. He then learned that the landlord’s concern was not the deposit itself, but rather payment reliability. Knowing this, he was able to respond to the actual issue.
3. A win-win solution: One-month deposit with automatic, monthly rental payments
Instead of paying a two-month deposit, he offered employment documents, proof of income and set up an automatic, monthly payment. These were practical reassurances that directly addressed the landlord’s concerns. In the end, the deposit was reduced from two months to the standard one-month while ensuring both sides were satisfied.
Learn to negotiate better with the British Council!
For those looking for professional development courses or want to strengthen their negotiation skills, our Professional Skills workshops are led by experienced trainers at the British Council. These trainers create a supportive environment, keeping sessions interactive without making them feel overwhelming.
In our Professional Skills workshop, Win-Win Negotiations: Agile Thinking, Mutual Commitment, lessons are grounded in real-world scenarios with guidance from our trainers. Over the course of eight modules, you will learn to enter negotiations with greater confidence and come up with mutually beneficial agreements.
With smaller classroom sizes, you will have better access to trainers and higher quality discussions. This allows for more personalised interactions, helping you achieve what you actually want in life and work.
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What our partcipant said about our Professional Skills workhops Calvin ‘I also really liked the classroom setting. The class size was small, so the interaction between the trainer and participants felt very immediate and personal. It was easy to ask questions, respond to examples, and feel genuinely involved in the discussion. In a way, it almost reminded me of being a student again, which made the experience feel both focused and enjoyable.' |
Strengthen your negotiation skills today!
What Calvin took away from the workshop wasn’t just a framework, but a different way of thinking about difficult conversations altogether. In turn, he’s now more confident in his negotiation skills, realising that both parties can win.
Companies who send their teams for our Professional Skills workshops are building a workforce that can stand their ground, negotiate better terms and improve overall client relationships. That’s the true power of having strong negotiation skills.