Last updated on Jul 28, 2024

You're at odds with an external partner on project deliverables. How will you find common ground?

When collaborating with an external partner, it's not uncommon to encounter disagreements over project deliverables. These situations can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can navigate through them and find common ground. Interpersonal skills are crucial in these scenarios, as they enable you to communicate effectively, understand different perspectives, and work towards a mutually beneficial resolution. The key is to remain professional, open-minded, and focused on the project's goals, even when the discussions become difficult.

1 Assess Needs

Before you dive into negotiations with your external partner, take a step back and thoroughly assess both parties' needs and objectives. This involves understanding what you require from the deliverables to meet your project goals and what your partner is looking to achieve. By clearly identifying these needs, you can approach the conversation with a clear understanding of what is non-negotiable and where there may be room for flexibility. Remember, the ultimate aim is to create a win-win situation where both sides feel their essential needs are being met.

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Apoorv Raj

Learner | Marketing Associate at Prepbee | Manager of Pranav Designs | Content Creator | 200k+ impressions
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🔶It is a common thing if we take up a freelancer for our project or freelancer team, for example if i need to get a project like website coding done , i basically hire a freelancer for that, but we need to communicate very clearly in this case . we can start like : 🔶"Hi Team, I appreciate the effort everyone is putting into this project. I think it’s important that we have an open discussion about our current deliverables to ensure we’re all on the same page. Can we schedule a time this week to go over these details?" 🔶Then clarify the non-negotiable needs, like meeting the client’s deadline and maintaining quality, and understand the partner's key concerns, such as resource constraints and quality standards.

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2 Open Dialogue

Once you have a grasp on the needs and objectives, initiate an open dialogue with your external partner. Approach the conversation with a mindset geared towards collaboration rather than confrontation. Listen actively to their concerns and viewpoints, and express your own in a respectful and clear manner. This open exchange of information sets the stage for mutual understanding and paves the way for finding common ground. It's important to maintain a professional tone throughout this process, as this fosters a constructive environment for negotiation.

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Apoorv Raj

Learner | Marketing Associate at Prepbee | Manager of Pranav Designs | Content Creator | 200k+ impressions
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Clear Communication is another important aspect we need to focus on. We can Start like : 🔶 "Hi Team, thank you for your hard work so far. I think it's crucial that we discuss our current deliverables openly to ensure alignment. Could we arrange a meeting this week to address any concerns and align our expectations?" 💡Always start the communication with giving respect to the team and mentioning about their hard work, in this way they feel valued and majority of times we can expect positive reply.

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3 Explore Options

With a solid understanding of each other's positions, you can now explore options that might satisfy both parties. Brainstorming together encourages a sense of teamwork and can lead to creative solutions that you might not have considered independently. Encourage your partner to share their ideas and be prepared to adjust your own expectations as new possibilities emerge. Flexibility and a willingness to compromise are key here, as they can lead to breakthroughs in deadlock situations.

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Apoorv Raj

Learner | Marketing Associate at Prepbee | Manager of Pranav Designs | Content Creator | 200k+ impressions
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Once both parties have clearly articulated their needs and concerns, the next is to explore potential solutions. This phase is all about collaboration and creativity. Here’s how we can explore options together: 1.Brainstorm Without Judgment: Generate a wide range of ideas to encourage creativity and teamwork. 2. Evaluate Feasibility Together: Assess the practicality of each idea collaboratively, considering resources, time constraints, and impacts on the project. 3. Be Ready to Compromise: Flexibility is crucial. Be prepared to adjust your expectations to find a middle ground. By exploring options collaboratively, we not only find effective solutions but also build a stronger, more cooperative relationship with your external partner.

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4 Prioritize Goals

In the spirit of compromise, it's essential to prioritize the goals of the project. Determine which aspects of the deliverables are critical to the project's success and which ones can be adjusted without compromising the outcome. This prioritization will help both you and your partner understand where there's room for negotiation and where you need to stand firm. By focusing on the most important elements, you can work towards an agreement that aligns with the project's primary objectives.

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5 Action Plan

After finding some common ground, the next step is to develop a mutually agreed-upon action plan. This plan should outline the revised deliverables, timelines, and any other relevant details that have been agreed upon during the negotiations. It's crucial to document this plan clearly so that both parties have a reference point and understand their responsibilities moving forward. This not only ensures accountability but also helps prevent future misunderstandings or disputes.

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6 Maintain Relations

Finally, it's important to maintain positive relations with your external partner after the negotiation process. A collaborative approach often leads to better outcomes and can pave the way for successful partnerships in the future. Keep the lines of communication open, provide updates on progress, and be ready to address any issues promptly. Building a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect will make it easier to work together on current and future projects.

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You're at odds with an external partner on project deliverables. How will you find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess Needs

2 Open Dialogue

3 Explore Options

4 Prioritize Goals

5 Action Plan

6 Maintain Relations

Interpersonal Skills

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You're at odds with an external partner on project deliverables. How will you find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess Needs

2 Open Dialogue

3 Explore Options

4 Prioritize Goals

5 Action Plan

6 Maintain Relations

Interpersonal Skills

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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