Have you ever received a job offer and wanted to negotiate for a better benefits package or salary, but you got intimidated or overwhelmed at the thought of asking for what you want and deserve? You’re not alone.
According to the Pew Research Center, women are more likely than men to say they didn’t feel comfortable asking for higher pay (42 vs. 33 percent), and women are more likely than men to say that after asking for higher pay, they were only given what they had been initially offered (42 vs. 36 percent).
Negotiation skills are integral in the workplace. Psychologist and career counselor Dr. Elizabeth Campbell says negotiating helps employees advocate for fair treatment and empowers employees to express their needs and concerns. “Negotiation skills are crucial for career growth. When employees negotiate for new roles, responsibilities, or promotions, they show initiative and demonstrate their value to the organization,” she says.
Confidence is key, Campbell says, because, “It allows you to communicate your needs and interests clearly and assertively, which helps to ensure an effective exchange of ideas.” Confidence also influences how others perceive you, making you appear credible and respectable. This can lead to positive negotiation outcomes.
“I believe in order to effectively advocate for ourselves, we need to see ourselves and the value that lies in our unique experiences,” adds career coach and consultant Kandice Whitaker.
Read more: 6 Reasons You Feel Uncomfortable Negotiating & How to Reset
Practice makes perfect. Incorporating negotiation skills into your daily life is the best way to improve. “Everyone likes to win,” Whitaker says, “and in a micro-negotiation, if you scored a 10 percent discount at your favorite retailer, it feels like a win, which is both empowering and inspiring.” The more you use those skills, the better you’ll become.
In the spirit of ease, here are 10 creative ways to practice your negotiation skills so you can boost your confidence and your pay without feeling like you’re doing homework.
12 creative negotiation exercises that will actually teach you something
1. Role playing
One way to practice your negotiation skills is to find games that allow you to use those skills. “Play board games or video games that involve negotiation elements, such as trading resources or making alliances,” says Campbell. She suggests games like Settlers of Catan or Among Us that can offer fun ways to practice. Whitaker says this is great because you get real time feedback while role-playing.
2. Shop for bargains
A weekend of thrifting or haggling at the local flea market or farmers market is the perfect time to practice negotiation. “Negotiate prices with vendors to get the best deals on items you're interested in purchasing,” Campbell says. If you are car shopping, that’s another great place to practice your negotiating skills. You might even be able to get a better price on the car if you agree to buy it with certain features or financing terms.
Read more: What to Never Say When Negotiating a Raise
3. Meal planning
One creative way to practice your negotiation skills is by planning a meal with family and friends. If it’s a holiday meal or a simple cookout, you can negotiate the menu as you consider everyone’s preferences if there are people who prefer vegan food, or a non-dairy lifestyle. Also, negotiate who will be responsible for certain foods on the menu, and craft meal logistics with your loved ones.
4. Play team sports
Whether it’s with an official league or a backyard game, team sports can help build your confidence and negotiating skills. “Participate in team sports or group activities where teamwork and strategy are crucial. Negotiate roles, strategies, or game plans with your teammates,” Campbell says.
5. Join a book club discussion
Book clubs are fun to get deep into discussions about the characters and the plot, but you can take it a step further. “Engage in discussions about characters' motivations, actions, and conflicts. Analyzing fictional negotiations can enhance your understanding of real-life dynamics,” Campbell says.
6. Negotiate a bill
When the promotion on a phone or cable bill ends, the price skyrockets. Use this time to negotiate a better deal or a new promotion to keep costs down, and boost your confidence in the process.
Negotiating service fees, such as with contractors, mechanics, or service providers, can also be a creative negotiation exercise. Discussing the scope of work, pricing, and terms of service before agreeing on a final amount can be considered a negotiation.
7. Escape Room challenges
Grab your friends and family and try an escape room. An escape room is a game in which a team of players discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in one or more rooms in order to accomplish a specific goal in a limited amount of time. Campbell says practicing your negotiation skills in this environment will help you to quickly negotiate solutions to puzzles and challenges under pressure as the clock ticks away.
8. Attend a charity auction and bid
This exercise can be used to teach you how to negotiate in a competitive setting. Find an auction to attend, and let the bidding begin! Of course, start at a low number and go as high as you feel comfortable, but this activity can help you learn how to stay calm under pressure, and how to negotiate effectively in a competitive environment, and if it’s a charity, you’re helping out a great cause at the same time.
Read more: How to Negotiate Your Job Benefits
9. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects
If there’s a DIY project you’ve been dying to start, but want to bring in some help, now’s the time to put those negotiation skills to the test. Create a team of family and friends to help knock out the project. Campbells suggests using this time to negotiate tasks, responsibilities, and timelines to ensure successful completion of the project.
10. Negotiate to get the item you want
Whether it’s Beyonce or Taylor Swift tickets, or a new washer and dryer, put your skills to the test to get a good deal on your desired item. You could even haggle with price matching to get a better sale on the purchase. It’s a confidence booster when you get what you want for a good price that you negotiated.
11. Negotiate household chores
Even within a household, negotiating chores or responsibilities among family members or roommates can be a form of negotiation. Balancing tasks, timelines, and preferences requires communication and compromise to find a fair distribution of duties.
12. Rent or lease negotiation
Negotiating rent or lease terms for an apartment, house, or commercial space involves discussions regarding rent amount, lease duration, included utilities, and any special conditions, seeking a deal that suits both the landlord and the tenant.
Overall, practicing your negotiation skills can help boost your confidence when it comes to negotiating in the workplace. Once you have practiced your negotiation skills, get feedback from family, friends, or colleagues to help you identify areas where you can improve.
