Negotiations & Relationships Through the Kaleidoscope

When negotiating anything in good faith, the best outcome is win/win. It’s a result where everyone involved can not only live with the outcome even if not ideal, but they feel it was fair and no one has ‘lost face’ or tarnished their reputation in the process. In order for this to happen, a good amount of advance preparation must take place along with sharp facilitation through the Design Thinking process in real time. 

There are a handful of essential Frames I would surely use in preparing for and maneuvering through a negotiation, whether I was on one side of the negotiating table or the facilitator of the process. In either case, I would use the Frames on BOTH side’s issues.   This would put me in the strongest  position.  I would use the Kaleidoscope Frame along with the Telescope Frame (scoping out purpose and desired goals), the Periscope Frame (taking into account all key relevant factors) and the Prism Frame (where we split out high leverage, vital factors and values, both desirable and those to be avoided). We’ll introduce the Prism Frame tomorrow.

As for The Kaleidoscope Frame, I would consider key players or groups whose views needed considering from each side’s vantage point. Then I would research what each side has stated are their views, or find out what they are if not easily available.  Finally, if nothing is directly forthcoming, I would ask an objective, informed source what they honestly believe each player would think about the negotiating focus issue, relative to the purpose, within the context, including the negotiating scenario.

We are laying out information pieces  here to build up a puzzle-picture about where opportunities lay and gaps are apparent, where potential conflicts work for or against either side, what factors may be able to be dealt with ahead of time or used as bargaining chips, and most importantly, what either side REALLY wants, or DOESN’T want and orchestrate they have that in return for what I or the other side wants.

Notice how the Kaleidoscope is a great image for this process, because the patterns that drop into place can shift as any surrounding factors change. Just fascinating!

A simple example of using the Kaleidoscope Frame in relationships might be when choosing between 2 partners. Use the Kaleidoscope on each person, noting key related individuals and their likely views. If your thinking focus is on looking at this person as a potential business partner you will look for people who can inform you as to their financial wherewithal, person character and business savvy. For a personal relationship you will look for people who can offer fair views of their personality, character, integrity, fun-factor,  relevant past, or whatever you are looking for depending on the purpose. (Marriage partner vs. a weekend date.) Then compare, add this information to your decision making process then choose one or ditch both and keep looking. Voila!