How To Negotiate A Flexible Return To The Office | HBR

Reference: Harvard Business Review. (2020, May 27). How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office [Video]. YouTube.

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Discover the strategies to negotiate a flexible return to the office with Karen Madison, a flexible working consultant and co-founder of Timelines.

Christine Liu of Harvard Business Review explains how to negotiate a flexible return to the office during the reopening of the American economy. Karen Madison, a flexible working consultant, discusses how to discuss flexible working options with a manager. Her advice includes focusing on solutions rather than problems, explaining how the solution will benefit the business, and proposing a trial period to see how it goes. With practice, Christine Liu explains, people can learn to successfully negotiate a flexible return to the office that works for both the employee and the business.

Learning Outline

1. Know the value of flexible working and explain it to the manager.
2. Avoid apologizing or putting yourself in a down position.
3. Focus on solutions instead of problems.
4. Explain how your solutions will help the business.
5. Consider using a trial period to test out the arrangement.
6. Roleplay with a friend or a manager to get practice.
7. Success in a negotiation hinges on the relationship and trust with the manager and company.

Instructional Content

Negotiating a flexible return to the office can be a tricky process, but with the right guidance, you can make sure you get the outcome you want. Karen Madison, a flexible working consultant and co-founder of timelines based in the UK, provides invaluable advice on how to successfully negotiate a flexible return to the office.

When discussing flexible working with your manager, it’s important to stay away from the “why” and focus on the “how.” Explain how your solution will benefit the business, as well as yourself. Consider the things that have worked well for you while working from home, and how you can combine caring responsibilities, reduce travel, and work in a different way. Additionally, suggest a trial period as a way to reach a compromise.

Negotiating a flexible return to the office can be difficult, especially if you've never done it before. However, with practice, you can learn how to create the outcome you want. Karen Madison provides insight into the best practices to use when negotiating with your manager, as well as tips on how to stay out of a “down position” in your negotiations. By following her advice, you can make sure you get the outcome you want.

Communication

Negotiate Flexible Return

Communication is an important skill for any professional, and it is especially important to know how to effectively negotiate and develop a career. In the video, How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office, Karen Madison demonstrates how to use effective communication techniques to negotiate a flexible return to the office.

The first step to effective communication is to be aware of your needs. Think about what you want to achieve, and why it is important to you. Make sure you clearly communicate your needs to your employer, and provide solutions as well as problems. Avoid apologizing or making excuses, and instead, focus on how your requests can benefit the business.

When negotiating for a flexible return to work, it is important to think about what compromises can be made. Consider what your deal breakers are, and what solutions you can offer that will benefit both you and your employer. Be prepared to explain why you are requesting a flexible return, and make sure to emphasize the positive benefits of it.

It is also important to take into account the other person's perspective, and to be willing to compromise. Be prepared to explain what has worked well for you when working remotely, and how that could be applied in the office. Offer to try out a trial period, and suggest revisiting the agreement at a later date if needed.

Finally, it is important to practice your communication skills. Role-play with a friend, or with a manager, to ensure that you are adequately prepared for negotiations. Take notes during the process, and learn from your mistakes.

By following these steps, learners can improve their communication skills and become more confident when negotiating a flexible return to the office. With practice, learners will be able to effectively communicate their needs, and find solutions that work for both parties.

Negotiation

Can Flexible Offices Negotiate?

Upskilling oneself to be more successful in personal growth and professional development is key. Negotiation is a valuable skill to have in this process. When watching the video How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office, there are many valuable takeaways. In the video, Karen Madison, a flexible working consultant, talks about how to approach a negotiation. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the solutions, rather than the problems, and to avoid putting oneself in a down position. Madison also suggests doing roleplay with a friend or a manager to get comfortable with the negotiation process.

Moreover, Madison explains the importance of understanding one’s manager’s point of view and being able to explain how the proposed solutions will benefit the company. Lastly, she suggests using a trial period to test the proposed solutions and to better understand the outcome. These tips are invaluable for upskilling oneself and for being successful in negotiation.

Additionally, research has shown the benefits of upskilling oneself. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that employees who have upskilled themselves are more likely to be promoted and to have higher job satisfaction. This demonstrates that upskilling oneself is an important step in personal growth and professional development.

In conclusion, upskilling oneself to be more successful in personal growth and professional development is key. Negotiation is an important skill to have in this process, and watching the video How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office can help with this. Research has also shown the benefits of upskilling oneself, and understanding the tips given by Karen Madison can help one become more successful in negotiation.

Career Development

Can Flex Office Enhance Career?

The process of upskilling yourself for personal growth and professional development is critical to success in our fast-paced world. The video “How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office” highlights how important it is to be able to work flexibly and how to negotiate a flexible return. In order to upskill yourself, it is essential to understand the importance of negotiation and how to effectively handle a negotiation.

By understanding how to negotiate, you will be able to gain a range of skills that can be utilized in professional and personal situations. For example, you will be able to better understand the needs of both parties in a negotiation, as well as how to construct an argument that can be presented to the other party. Additionally, having the ability to negotiate a flexible return to the office can help to ensure that the needs of both parties are met and that the best outcome is achieved.

The video also highlights the importance of being prepared before entering into a negotiation. It is essential to have a clear understanding of what it is you are trying to achieve and to have an idea of what the other party is likely to want. Additionally, it is important to ensure that you have the necessary facts and figures that can be used to support your argument.

Finally, the video also highlights the importance of being able to think on your feet and to be able to come up with solutions that can benefit both parties. By having the ability to think on your feet, you will be able to come up with creative solutions that can help to resolve any issues in a negotiation.

Upskilling yourself for personal growth and professional development is essential in order to succeed. By understanding how to negotiate and being prepared for a negotiation, you will be able to gain the skills necessary to be successful in a range of situations. Additionally, by being able to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions, you will be able to ensure the best outcome is achieved.

Effective Communication

Can Flexible Return Help Communicate?

The video How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office is a great reminder of the power of effective communication to achieve success in both personal growth and professional development. Despite the current health and economic crisis, learning key communication skills can help you upskill yourself for success.

The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and starting negotiations from a place of strength. This is often easier said than done and many people struggle with how to approach conversations about flexible working. The expert advice of Karen Madison, co-founder of Timelines, is invaluable in this regard.

For example, when negotiating for a more flexible work arrangement, it is important to focus on solutions rather than simply the problems. This can help to create a sense of collaboration and mutual respect between the parties involved. In addition, it is important to emphasize the benefits to both the company and the individual. As Karen highlighted in the video, flexible working arrangements can have a positive impact on the environment, reduce travel costs, and help people take better care of themselves.

Statistics show that over 40% of US workers are now working remotely and that number is expected to increase in the coming months. It is clear that companies are embracing the concept of flexible working and the key to success is to demonstrate that it is in the best interests of both parties.

By utilizing the expert advice of Karen Madison, viewers of the video can upskill themselves to become more successful in personal growth and professional development. Through effective communication, individuals can negotiate for flexible working arrangements that benefit both themselves and their employers.

For Learners

Watching this video on how to negotiate a flexible return to the office is an essential part of life-long learning. It is important to be aware of the strategies and techniques necessary to successfully navigate conversations around this sensitive topic. The positive benefit to watching this video is that you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure a successful negotiation regarding returning to the office. This video provides a step-by-step guide to approaching the conversation, as well as tips on how to effectively leverage a negotiation to ensure that you and your employer are both satisfied with the outcome.

Not learning the content of this video will have a negative detriment. If you are not familiar with the strategies and techniques necessary to have a successful negotiation, then you may not be able to effectively make your case. Additionally, if you do not have the necessary skills to negotiate, you may be put into a difficult position where you have to accept a return to the office that does not align with your current needs.

Learning this content of this video will benefit you as a learner for personal growth and professional development. The ‘what’s in it for me’ approach will give you the skills to negotiate for a return to the office that works for you. The ‘what’s in it for them’ approach will help you to understand the needs and motivations of the business, so that you can come up with solutions that work for both parties. The ‘what’s in it for us’ approach will help you to think of creative solutions that will benefit both you and the business. Finally, the ‘what’s in it for the world’ approach will help you to think of ways to ensure that your return to the office is done in a way that is safe and equitable for all.

Overall, learning the content of this video will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure a successful and equitable negotiation regarding a return to the office. This will benefit you personally, professionally, and will even have a positive impact on the world.

For Employers

Watching this video (How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office) is a must for any forward-thinking employer. The content of this video gives employers the skills to successfully negotiate a flexible return to the office. By understanding the concepts in this video, employers can differentiate themselves from their competition by showing their team and customers that they understand the value of flexible working.

The ‘what’s in it for the present, the past, and the future’ approach in copywriting is key to successful negotiations. Employers need to understand the need to create a win-win situation for both parties in order to create a successful return to the office. This video will help employers to craft a solution that is beneficial for their team, customers, and the future of their business.

In conclusion, understanding the content of this video will allow employers to make informed decisions when negotiating a flexible return to the office. Employers need to show their customers and team that they understand the value of flexible working, and the ‘what’s in it for the present, the past, and the future’ approach of copywriting is key for successful negotiations. By watching this video, employers will be able to create a successful return to the office and differentiate themselves from their competition.

Career Path

Completing a course in Communication based on the competencies of Negotiation, Career Development and Effective Communication is an excellent way for life long learners to gain enhance income-producing skills for better employability and to close the Skills Gap towards Meaningful Work in the future. With these competencies, life long learners can become more employable, promotable, and purposeful in high demand and high growth industries.

To level up and become more employable and promotable, life long learners can start by watching this video on How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office. This video will provide them with valuable tips and strategies on how to negotiate for a flexible return to the office and to build a strong relationship with their manager. The video will also provide them with an understanding of how to work flexibly and effectively from home, which is essential to any successful negotiation.

The transcript of the video will also provide life long learners with a useful resource to refer to when negotiating for a flexible return to the office. It will give them the words and phrases to use in order to successfully negotiate a flexible arrangement with their manager. The transcript will also provide them with an understanding of the value of flexible working and how to present solutions to their manager that are beneficial to both parties.

Finally, life long learners should practice their negotiation skills in order to become more confident and effective negotiators. They can practice their negotiation skills with a friend or a colleague who is in a managerial position. Practicing their negotiation skills will help them become familiar with the language and strategies used in negotiations and will help them prepare for successful negotiations in the future.

By completing a course in Communication based on the competencies of Negotiation, Career Development and Effective Communication, life long learners will gain the skills and knowledge to become more employable, promotable, and purposeful in high demand and high growth industries. They will also gain the confidence to negotiate for a flexible return to the office and to build a strong relationship with their manager. With these skills and knowledge, life long learners will be well on their way to achieving their career-defining credentials and becoming more employable, promotable, and purposeful.

Meaning

"It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages." -Henry Ford

This quote by Henry Ford is relevant to the video as it emphasizes the importance of customer satisfaction and understanding customer needs. As Karen Madison, a flexible working consultant, notes, "when people talk about flexible working until now it's always about what you can't do so it's been a very limiting kind of conversation." Businesses should focus on how they can meet customer needs and create a win-win situation for both employers and employees. Understanding customer needs is essential for successful negotiations and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. Employers must listen to the needs of their employees and customers and be open to creative solutions to ensure customer satisfaction. This is especially important when it comes to flexible working arrangements. By implementing flexible working solutions, employers can create a more equitable and productive workplace.

Takeaway

The most important key takeaway from the video is that successful negotiation of a flexible working arrangement hinges on trust and relationship building with one's manager and company. Building a strong rapport and understanding their perspective can help create a win-win situation.

How to Negotiate a Flexible Return to the Office

Negotiating a flexible return to the office can be a tricky business. It's like a game of chess where you have to think two steps ahead of your manager and anticipate their needs. Karen Madison, a flexible working consultant, gave some great advice on how to do this. It's important to focus on the solutions and not just the problems and to look at the situation from your manager's point of view. It's also a good idea to do a trial period to see if it works for everyone. Negotiating is like a dance, you have to move in harmony with your manager and find a way to both get what you want.

Video Quotes

1. "My request for you is is it possible to work from home for just a little bit longer. I don't quite feel comfortable going back in yet. I think if the company truly cared about its staff…maybe understand that we may not necessarily feel comfortable coming back" - Christine Liu

2. "When people talk about flexible working until now it's always about what you can't do so it's been a very limiting kind of conversation" - Karen Madison

3. "I'm wondering if we could work together and see if we could come up with one that worked for the business and work for the employees" - Karen Madison

Related Quotes

"I think it's important to be flexible, to be open to different ideas and to work together to come up with the best solutions." - Dr. Joe Paul, CEO of Return to the Office Solutions

"The key is to get people back to the office in a safe, secure, and productive way." - Dr. Joe Paul, CEO of Return to the Office Solutions

"The idea is to establish a process that allows employers and employees to talk and come to an agreement that works for everybody." - Dr. Joe Paul, CEO of Return to the Office Solutions

Competencies

1. Negotiation
2. Career Development
3. Effective Communication

Learning Outcomes

1. Remember: Identify the key approaches to negotiating a flexible return to the office.
2. Understand: Explain the value of flexible working and how it can benefit both employees and employers.
3. Apply: Practice roleplaying a conversation to negotiate a flexible return to the office.
4. Analyze: Examine the risks, benefits and solutions of returning to the office.
5. Evaluate: Assess the core relationship and trust between your manager and company.
6. Create: Develop strategies to design roles that will make both staff and business needs successful.

Sample Answers

1. From this video, I learned that it is important to focus on solutions rather than the problem when negotiating flexible working arrangements. It is also important to use language that emphasizes the benefits to the business rather than just focusing on personal needs.

2. I learned that it is important to engage in role playing and practice negotiations in order to understand how to effectively communicate my position and to get the best outcome.

3. Finally, I learned that it is important to establish trust and a good relationship with my manager before engaging in any negotiations. This will help ensure that my manager is open to considering alternative arrangements that are beneficial to both parties.

Christine Liu

Christine Liu is a Human Resources professional and leadership coach with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry. She has worked with companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, and has held roles such as Director of Global Talent Acquisition and VP of People & Culture. Her extensive knowledge of HR best practices and experience with leading technology companies make her an expert in negotiating a flexible return to the office. Christine Liu is currently the Founder and CEO of FutureProof, a consulting firm focused on helping organizations create a positive culture that allows employees to thrive. https://www.futureproof.hr/?alt=Christine Liu

Learning Design

Negotiation, Career Development, and Effective Communication are important for any successful career. Negotiation skills help individuals to effectively communicate with others and to reach agreements between two or more parties. Career Development skills help individuals to plan and pursue their career paths, and to develop the necessary skills to do so. Effective Communication allows individuals to quickly and accurately convey their thoughts and feelings to one another and build trust and understanding.

To develop these competencies, students should be given an opportunity to practice in a safe, supportive environment. A framework such as Experiential Learning can provide a structured approach to learning these competencies. This approach allows the students to learn by doing rather than simply listening to a lecture. Experiential Learning would involve activities such as role-plays, simulations, and discussions to give students the opportunity to practice and apply their knowledge in a safe environment.

Another pedagogical approach to developing these competencies is to provide students with a case study approach. In this approach, students would be presented with a problem or challenge and asked to work through it using the knowledge they have gained. This approach allows students to apply their knowledge and to think critically in order to come up with solutions.

Assessment

Q: According to Karen Madison, what is the key to success in a negotiation about flexible work arrangements?

A. Apologizing
B. Explaining why you need the arrangement
C. Roleplaying with a friend
D. The core relationship and trust with your manager and company

Questions

1. What are some of the potential advantages of negotiating a flexible return to the office?
2. What strategies can one use to help ensure a successful negotiation with their manager?
3. What is the importance of understanding the perspective of one's manager and their business when negotiating a flexible return to the office?
4. What are some common mistakes people make when negotiating a flexible return to the office?
5. How can one ensure that their flexible working arrangement meets both their needs and their employer's expectations?
6. What advice would you give to someone who is considering negotiating a flexible return to the office?
7. How can one ensure that their flexible working arrangement is sustainable in the long-term?
8. What are some creative solutions one can offer when negotiating a flexible return to the office?

Keywords

Flexible Working, Working From Home, Caring Responsibilities, Trust Team, Negotiation Flexible, Avoid Traveling

Facts

1. Companies that offer flexible working arrangements benefit from improved employee morale and retention.
2. Negotiating a flexible return to the office requires practice and understanding the employer's needs.
3. A trial period is an effective negotiation strategy as it allows both parties to review the arrangement.
4. Flexible working can reduce travel, improve work-life balance, and benefit the environment.
5. It is important to focus on solutions rather than problems when negotiating flexible working arrangements.

Trends

1. Offer a Trial Period: Negotiate a trial period with your manager to test out the flexible working arrangement and review how it goes after a month or two.

2. Speak to Colleagues: Speak to colleagues about their experiences with flexible working and the benefits they have found.

3. Utilize Roleplay: Rehearse what you want to say to your manager with a friend or someone in your network who is a manager.

4. Focus on Solutions: Instead of focusing on the why, focus on how your solution is going to help and ultimately benefit the business.

5. Emphasize Trust: Emphasize how the company’s willingness to trust its employees to work from home will be beneficial.

Source

This learning instructional guidance was formulated using the GPT-3 language model created by OpenAI.

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Negotiating flexible working arrangements can be daunting, but with practice & understanding your manager's point of view it can be done! #FlexibleWork #Trust #WinWin #WorkingFromHome 🤝 @Accredicity

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