The four approaches to negotiation:

Power

• Parties are competitors
• Conflict is resolved by who is strongest
• Strength can be based on physical strength, weapons, political clout, financial resources or other measures of strength.
• No real rules of fair play
• Winning is the highest value

Rights

• Imposes rules of fair play
• Laws rather than force are the governing principle
• Problems arise when one side believes another side has violated their rights
• A judge has the final decision

Interests

• Joint problem solving trying to satisfy another’s interest
• The underlying concern is what each side wants to achieve
• Collaboration of partners

Transformation

• Primary task is to change the way people view conflict and improve how they interact in response to that conflict
• The problem is the way people react to conflict, not the conflict itself
• It involves empowerment – restoring each party’s sense of his or her own value, strength and capacity to handle life’s problems
• It also involves recognition – Each person acknowledging and demonstrating empathy for the situation and  the problems of  the other

Situation: Two students want to sit in the special seat.  Help them negotiate this.

What are your strengths for each of these methods?

Power:

Rights:

Interests:

Transformative