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What is a Negotiator?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A negotiator is someone who specializes in mediating agreements between two or more parties. Most negotiators represent a particular party involved, rather than acting as purely neutral mediators. Negotiators work in a number of fields, including the financial services industry, law enforcement, and the legal community. Some negotiators go to school to acquire job skills which will assist them in their work, while others pursue training seminars and on the job training to learn to be a negotiator.

The goal of a negotiator is to reach an agreement which will be mutually agreeable and satisfactory for all parties. Although he or she may represent a specific party in a dispute, this does not mean that the negotiator is only interested in achieving this party's interests and goals, as a good negotiator recognizes that a mutual agreement will be beneficial in the long term by preventing acrimony. He or she can use a variety of techniques, relying heavily on a knowledge of psychology, human nature, and industry standards.

Negotiators try to work out deals with suspects in order to gain a confession.
Negotiators try to work out deals with suspects in order to gain a confession.

In the financial world, negotiators can work out sale agreements for major companies, help people make contract and salary negotiations, mediate disputes between companies, and negotiate benefits on behalf of unions or other groups. These negotiators balance the needs and desires of their clients with the reasonable expectations of the other side. They have a number of tools in their arsenal, ranging from the threat of a union strike to offers from other companies which can be used for bargaining chips.

A hostage negotiator attempts to secure the freedom of someone taken captive.
A hostage negotiator attempts to secure the freedom of someone taken captive.

In law enforcement, negotiators deal with difficult situations, attempting to reach a resolution in which no one is injured or killed. Hostage negotiators specifically work to extract hostages, but negotiators can also be involved in armed standoffs, handovers of stolen goods, and other types of situations. Law enforcement negotiators usually work in law enforcement first, receiving negotiation training when they express an interest in it.

A real estate agent may negotiate on behalf of another individual to help house buyers and sellers reach a deal.
A real estate agent may negotiate on behalf of another individual to help house buyers and sellers reach a deal.

A negotiator may work on behalf on an individual, helping to reduce debts, achieve a better salary, or to make a deal; a real estate agent, for example, is a type of negotiator who helps buyers and sellers reach an agreement. Negotiators can also represent organizations or institutions, or mediate disputes within organizations and governments.

To work as a negotiator, someone needs excellent communication skills, the ability to think quickly, the ability to emphasize, and the skill to view all sides of a situation, not just one. A good negotiator is ahead of both sides of a dispute, thinking about possible next steps, outcomes, and surprises which could influence the direction the negotiation takes.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

burcidi

I have homework on this subject and I need to answer the question: "What's the most important quality a negotiator must have?"

I think I'm going to say "the ability to convince." Any other ideas?

turquoise

I watch law enforcement shows and films a lot and I think law enforcement negotiators are really amazing.

I can't even imagine being under that kind of stress and responsibility where people's lives are at stake and I need to negotiate with a criminal to save them. It must be so difficult. How do they do it?

donasmrs

When it comes to international peace negotiations, the negotiator has to be a neutral mediator. There is no way that two countries (or groups) in conflict will negotiate with one another if they feel that the negotiator is choosing sides.

For example, Richard Holbrooke, an American diplomat, was the negotiator between the Serbs and the Bosnians in the early 90s. He was neutral, charismatic, intelligent and had great negotiation skills. Holbrooke was successful in getting the parties to reach an agreement. The name of that agreement was the Dayton Peace Accords.

So it may be the case that negotiators are not neutral in the corporate world. But that's not the case at all when it comes to negotiating peace in international conflicts.

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    • Negotiators try to work out deals with suspects in order to gain a confession.
      By: donserhio
      Negotiators try to work out deals with suspects in order to gain a confession.
    • A hostage negotiator attempts to secure the freedom of someone taken captive.
      By: RTimages
      A hostage negotiator attempts to secure the freedom of someone taken captive.
    • A real estate agent may negotiate on behalf of another individual to help house buyers and sellers reach a deal.
      By: highwaystarz
      A real estate agent may negotiate on behalf of another individual to help house buyers and sellers reach a deal.
    • Debt negotiators may work with banks on the terms of a mortgage.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Debt negotiators may work with banks on the terms of a mortgage.
    • Hostage negotiators typically receive extensive firearms training.
      By: jurra8
      Hostage negotiators typically receive extensive firearms training.
    • A negotiator may schedule meetings between an individual and his creditors in order to reach agreements on payment.
      By: Rido
      A negotiator may schedule meetings between an individual and his creditors in order to reach agreements on payment.