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lose face by admitting you really didn't have such a deadline after all or you back yourself into the corner of having to go to your second-choice vendor. Deadlines can cut both ways. Set them carefully. |
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Tip 747: Don't let your calendar or clock tick so loudly. |
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You may have deadlines: Subscriptions run out. Contracts expire. People resign. Prices go up. But avoid making your deadline sound like an ultimatum to the other person. Pay particular attention to tactful, factual wording: |
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Not: "You'll need to give me an answer by tomorrow; otherwise, I'll go ahead and list the property on the open market." |
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But: "I'm going to be forced to list the property with a realtor by the first of the month. If you want to make an offer, I hope you can make a decision before that time." |
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Not: "If you don't have an answer for me by tomorrow at noon about whether you can customize the seats, I'm going to give the order to your competitor." |
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But: "I hope you can have an answer about the customizing right away. I've promised myself to make a decision by noon tomorrow." |
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Word choice conveys attitude, and the proper attitude solicits a favorable response. |
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Tip 748: Don't let others' calendars or clocks wear you down. |
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The attitude of "let's get it done" often wreaks havoc. Give yourself time to generate the best option and agreement. When the other person offers a concession or asks for a concession, wait, consider, ponder. The devil is in the details. This simple concept may be your saving virtue. |
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Yes, deadlines represent reality. But think back about decisions made up to now in your life and decide how pleased you are with the ones made "because you had to do something." When someone states to you, "I want an answer by five today," before rushing into a decision, ask yourself if you would decide to do X even if there were no deadline involved. If not, wait. |
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Tip 749: Don't agree too quickly. |
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Even when you like a deal, be careful not to grab it and run. The other person will invariably think he or she made a bad deal after all and "left |
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