No detail is Too Insignificant if the Other Side Wants it

The devil is in the details, but no detail is too insignificant if the other side wants it. Even when there is preliminary agreement, be sure that all loose ends are tied down. Try to anticipate any contingency so that negotiations do not break down at a later time.

It is easy in the excitement of resolving a long and complex dispute to stop the negotiations when there seems to be initial agreement and put off writing down the details. If you are too tired to continue, at least prepare a draft with all the details to bring to the next meeting.

That initial excitement can be deflated when the parties come back the next day and see that the written drafts do not reflect their agreement. Do not get caught in this situation. Jot down everything you can remember as soon as you leave the meeting. Otherwise, it is easy to forget some of the important details.

If one side says some detail is very important, try to work something out so the negotiations can be finalized. If one party wants a contingency written in for every possibility, it can sometimes bog down the process, but try anyway. Remember no detail is too insignificant if the other side wants it.

Sometimes you have to agree "in principle" and work out the details later. However, it is generally better to have any misinterpretations cleared up now rather than later. You do not want a misplaced comma to change the meaning of something and find out about it much later. The devil is in the details.





Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author ofHow To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awardsBest How To Book, DIY FestivalRunner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help CategoryFinalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year AwardsFinalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help CategoryHonorable Mention, London Book FestivalHow To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating DisputesWinner of five book awardsBest National Book AWard, Law CategoryBest E-Book, New York Book FestivalBest How To Book, Beach Book FestivalBest E-Book, Indie Excellence AwardsSpirit AWard, South Florida Writers AssociationEmail: howtonegotiate@aol.comwww.marygreenwood.com