I wanted to share another favorite end-of-semester teaching tool as we are winding down the semester.  Last year I wrote about negotiation recipes for success (post here) and shared examples of a negotiation cookbook from other teachers. So I wanted to share some of my favorite examples from students as examples of how well this works with students.

The Magical Master Negotiator Potion

1 Tbsp. Gut instincts

1 Tbsp. Confidence

1 tsp. Knowing Why You’re Right (the law; social, political, or economic norms; facts; figures)

1 Tbsp. Respect for your counterpart

1 c. Listening

½ c. Empathy for your client and counterpart’s client

1 c. Interest in interests

¾ c. Creativity

1 c. Core skills (listening, acknowledging emotion, reframing, summarizing, questioning)

1 Tbsp. Sass

1 tsp. Smile and a Firm Handshake

Beat on high, until mixed: gut instincts, confidence, knowing why you’re right, and respect for your counterpart.  Set aside.

In a separate bowl whisk listening, empathy, interest in interests until blended.   Then slowly add in creativity and core skills.

Add the mixture of courage, confidence, knowing why you’re right and respect to the bowl of whisked ingredients until you can no longer tell the difference between the two mixes.

Pour into margarita glass. Garnish with sass, a smile and a firm handshake.

 

Negotiation Cake Recipe

Total Time: Contingent on the circumstances. You get out what you put in.

Preparation Time: The larger portion of time should be devoted here to make the cooking go smoothly.

Cook Time: Directly relates to the oven (setting) and the number of dessert chefs (counterparts) working on the dish at one time.

Ingredients

Preparation (1 Cup)                 Research (1 Cup)                    Stubbornness (1/4 Cup)

Collaboration (1/2 Cup)          Humor                         Patience (2 teaspoons)

Empathy (1 ½ Cups)               Silence (1 teaspoon)                Optimism

Interests (up to 5)                    Comfort (2 Tablespoons)        Confidence

Persistence (1 teaspoon)          Creativity (1 Cup)                   Listening Skills (2 Tablespoons)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Get to know the kitchen and get comfortable in your setting.  Research your fellow chefs prior to preheating the oven. This will help you predict your interactions throughout the baking process.

Cake:

In a large bowl, sift together prepared information and research (1C each). Crack your barrier shell on the edge of the bowl and add their core interests (up to 5). Mix until a smooth strategy has formed.

In separate bowl combine collaboration (1/2C), listening skills (2 Tbsp), creativity (1C), patience (2 tsp.), empathy (1 1/2 C), and stubbornness (1/4C). Taste ingredients to ensure that the stubbornness does not overpower the collaboration and the listening skills are prominent.

Combine the strategy batter with the skills mixture and divide the batter equally amongst cake pans. Place in the oven for 30 minutes. Poke the cake with a toothpick to make sure it is solid enough for layering.

Frosting

In a bowl, combine comfort (2 Tbsp.), silence (1 tsp.), and persistence (1 tsp.). Boil the mixture over a saucepan filled with boiling water. Stir the mixture until the nerves and anxiety have boiled out, leaving a thick frosting.

Cover each layer of cake with frosting and stack the remaining layers. Sprinkle the top layer with a dash of humor, optimism, and confidence. Refrigerate the cake for 3 hours before serving to counterparts. Take breaks from baking when needed. Alter the recipe with experience.

 

Negotiation Resolution Pie

This recipe is crafted to create a well-balanced negotiation process that is both nutritious and tastes good to all parties.

Ingredients

2 cups              Creativity

2 cups              Conflict

1 cup               Trust

¾ cup              Empathy

¾ cup              Assertiveness

1 cup               Flexibility

1 tsp                Legitimacy

1 tsp                Clarity

1 cup               Ethics

1 tsp                Feedback

Directions

1.  First put Conflict and Creativity in a large mixing bowl.
2. Lightly mix together and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, add Empathy, Flexibility, and Trust. Stir for 1 minute, then pour over Conflict and Creativity in the large mixing bowl.
4.  Add chunks of Assertiveness and mix vigorously.
5.  Cook for about 35-40 minutes. Add Legitimacy, Clarity, and Ethics when necessary and stir occasionally.
6.  When mixture has settled, let cool for 5 minutes and sprinkle feedback on top.