Solve Difficult Negotiations With the “Indaba” Technique
Some negotiations are simply too difficult and complicated for a traditional solution. If the negotiations in which you are involved are at an impasse, the Indaba method makes it easier for all parties to find common ground and resolve issues fairly.
When the traditional line of negotiations ended, it might be better for all parties to open their hands and see if and how the game can continue. Akshat Rati of Quartz explains a technique used by the Zulu and Kosa in southern Africa called indaba (pronounced In-Dar-Bah):
Indaba allows each side to have their say, but quickly reach consensus. It works because opinions and arguments can only be voiced in a certain way … Instead of repeating the stated positions, each side is invited to speak in person and declare their “red lines”, which are a threshold that they do not want to cross. But when telling others about their hard limits, they are also asked to provide solutions to find common ground.
The method was recently used to reach consensus in 195 UN countries for the first time at a climate change summit in Paris , Rati said. Finding common ground is always a useful approach to negotiation , but the indaba technique allows for a consensus that is fair to all parties involved. When you know someone’s bottom line and they know yours, it’s much easier to bridge the gap. After all, you cannot build a bridge unless you see both sides.
This Simple Negotiation Tactic Leads to Consensus of 195 Countries | Quartz through Inc.