Grateful 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Negotiation is a process in which two or more parties try to resolve their opposing issues. I had to write a discussion posting for my business negotiations class on a heated negotiation I participated in recently. I wrote about how lupus attacked my kidneys and I had to make the choice to go on dialysis 6 years ago. My kidney and lupus doctors both felt dialysis was my only choice. Caught up in emotion I delayed the negotiation as long as I could. I thought it was a win-lose distributive bargaining situation where the doctors won. It actually was an integrative negotiation where we all won. They directed me to make a decision that saved my life. Being here to raise my son is Everything 💯🎯💓😭
Negotiation isn't just about business deals; it can be a critical part of managing one’s health journey, especially when faced with life-altering decisions. Reflecting on my own experience, the process of negotiating with doctors about treatment options for lupus affecting my kidneys was deeply emotional and complex. Initially, I viewed the situation as a confrontational negotiation where I might lose autonomy—a win-lose scenario. However, as I engaged more with my healthcare professionals, it became clear that this was a win-win or integrative negotiation. Both sides aimed for the best outcome—not dominance but collaboration. It's important to recognize that health negotiations require patience and open communication. I delayed making decisions due to fear, which is natural in such stressful circumstances. But embracing the advice of my kidney and lupus specialists ultimately directed me toward dialysis, an intervention that saved my life. This experience taught me that negotiations in health contexts can lead to mutual understanding and shared goals. The phrase "Push, Prosper, Thrive" perfectly encapsulates the mindset needed during these times. Pushing through fears and emotional barriers, prospering by accepting life-saving treatments, and thriving by continuing to raise my son with love and determination. For anyone undergoing difficult medical decisions, I encourage openness to integrative negotiation—seeking solutions that benefit all parties. Building trust with your healthcare team and understanding the options thoroughly can transform a heated negotiation into a life-affirming collaboration. Stay strong, push forward, and thrive despite challenges.
