In Indian contexts, negotiation is not purely transactional exchange between strangers but occurs within relationships that matter. The relationship may pre-exist the negotiation—dealing with someone you know, with someone from your community, with someone connected through networks. Or the negotiation itself creates relationship that will extend beyond the immediate transaction. Either way, relationship context shapes the negotiation.
How you negotiate affects whether relationship continues and on what terms; tactics that damage relationship may win this deal but lose future dealings. Even apparently one-time transactions occur within reputation networks where your conduct becomes known. Recognize that relationship matters: negotiate in ways that maintain and build relationship, not just in ways that maximize immediate terms. The best negotiation outcomes include both favorable terms and strengthened relationship.
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