Turns out hostage negotiator Scott Walker, author of “Order Out of Chaos” has some useful tips for animal trainers! At least to my way of thinking.
From a New York Times article written by Jancee Dunn, these key points from Walker:
- “Negotiation,” he added, “is simply a conversation with a purpose.”
- Jitters and fears can be contagious. Be grounded, switched on, and focused, with an agile mind. Before your conversations, practice deep breathing or anything else that makes you feel centered.
- Ask yourself this clarifying question: What do I fear losing the most in this situation? Is it freedom, reputation, money, power?
- Leave your ego at the door.
- In order to gain another person’s cooperation, you first have to understand that person’s point of view, beliefs and values by being curious and empathetic.
- We can’t influence someone unless we know what already influences them.
- If things stall, Walker takes a quick break and asks himself some questions, including
- What can or can’t I control right now?
- What am I not seeing here?
- And what opportunity am I missing?
- Those questions shift our attention from what has gone wrong to what still has the potential to go right.
Now I’m left wondering how to get items printed with W.A.I.T. for trainers – as in, “Why am I (still) talking?”
