Negotiation is a skill CEOs must master. A CEO will find themselves negotiating with suppliers, employees, and partners to find the best terms and prices. They must determine a course that works well for everyone involved.

Negotiating doesn’t come naturally for everyone, but with the right preparation and strategic approach, you will work with others to find the best solutions. Read on to learn how you can negotiate like a pro.

Build Trusting Relationships

Employees, suppliers, and colleagues have a predetermined perception of you based on past interactions. This perception will affect how they approach the negotiation process.

Leaders must keep this in mind and establish trusting relationships with their co-workers. They must be friendly and transparent.

When people trust you, they will be more likely to believe that your suggestions are in everyone’s best interest.  They will give in to you more easily in the negotiation process.

Establish Yourself as a Confident Leader

Building trust is just one part of the equation. Sure, you want to be everyone’s friend. But you also want them to have confidence in your leadership skills. People who have confidence in you will be more likely to support your ideas and suggestions.

A confident leader will focus on their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses. They will embrace growth and take calculated risks. They will be unafraid to ask for feedback on their performance.

Prepare for Negotiation

A good CEO will not go into negotiations unprepared. They will be intimately familiar with their goal. They will have considered all outcomes. They will be ready to put facts on the table when asked, and they will provide projections for all sides.

CEOs must also know their limitations in advance. They should have a minimum figure in mind. They should understand when it’s time to walk.

Use Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in the negotiation process. A leader should pay attention to the colleagues they are negotiating with to determine how they are reacting to ideas and suggestions. They should focus on facial expressions and body language which often speaks louder than words.

A keen sense of emotional intelligence will make you aware of your opponent’s mindset. It will tell you how negotiations are going before a decision is made. You can use emotional cues to adjust terms and conditions and arrive at a resolution everyone is happy with.

Not everyone is skilled in reading emotional intelligence, but you can improve these skills through active listening. Ask questions to get to the heart of what others are thinking. Practice empathy to understand how others are feeling. Be open-minded to embracing new ideas.

Use Your Body Language

Body language can be a powerful tool for you as well. Rather than telling a colleague you are unhappy with their terms, try a “flinch” reaction. This will set the tone for the negotiation.

Silence is another powerful tool. Reflecting on an offer expresses you are dissatisfied with it. Allow the room to fill with silence and dare your colleague to make the next move. Consider it a “Whoever speaks first loses” tactic.

Time is on Your Side

A leader can leverage time to ensure a favorable negotiation. If they know the outcome is time-sensitive for the other team, they can prolong the process. Colleagues hoping for a swift resolution will be more likely to give in to your terms.

Leaders must not be unprofessional in their negotiation time management, but if they strike the right balance, they may find a more favorable resolution.

Control Your Emotions

Negotiations can get heated. There are things you feel passionate about and things others feel passionate about. It can be frustrating when others refuse to see your side- and even more frustrating when you have a lot at stake.

However, losing control and becoming angry is never a good look. It will make people less likely to find a suitable solution. It could also hurt your professional reputation.

If you find things aren’t going your way, you have the option to shake hands and walk. Remember there will be other opportunities. Losing a negotiation isn’t the end of the world.

Want to learn more about driving your company to success? Sign up for the Chief Executives Council newsletter and get the latest tips straight to your inbox.