Superior negotiators come in all genders, shapes, and sizes, but they tend to have a few things in common. Here is my list of the seven habits of superior negotiators:

1. A superior negotiator is always prepared. Abraham Lincoln said, “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my ax”. This is definitely the mindset of the superior negotiator. They think through the potential options ahead of time.

2. A great negotiator focuses on the interests of the other party. Rather than obsessing about what he or she wants, a great negotiator invests time in understanding what motivates the other party and why certain things are important to them.

3. He or she is willing to walk away. By knowing the bottom line of what is acceptable and by knowing the next best alternative, a strong negotiator is empowered. This takes the guess work out of the negotiation and focuses the agreement on what might be acceptable.

4. A great negotiator is open to new ideas and is willing to brainstorm on the spot with the other party to discover other options. Brainstorming involves some personal risk, but it makes for better agreements.

5. Listening skills are a prerequisite for an outstanding negotiator. This means not talking; in fact, outright silence is often a great choice.

6. Superior negotiators are realists. They are willing to compromise and they tend not be greedy or mean spirited since they want the opportunity to do business again. Relationships are valued.

7. They are willing to work to get the right deal and are exceedingly patient since a good deal takes hard work and time to create. This could mean multiple meetings or many phone calls.

Are you a superior negotiator?