COMMUNICATIONMonths to result

Influencing BATNAs

Influence BATNAs to gain an advantage

Problem it solves

poor communication

Best for

Complex, high-stakes negotiations

Not ideal for

Simple, low-stakes negotiations

Overview

Why this framework exists

Influencing BATNAs is a strategic move that can gain an advantage in negotiations. By improving one's own BATNA or worsening the other side's BATNA, a party can increase its share of the pie.

Core principles

3 total
  1. Improving one's own BATNA can increase one's share of the pie.
  2. Worsening the other side's BATNA can increase one's share of the pie.
  3. Influencing BATNAs is a strategic move that requires careful consideration.

Steps

2 steps
  1. Identify opportunities to improve one's own BATNA
    Look for ways to improve one's own BATNA, such as by developing alternative options or increasing one's bargaining power.
    Pro tipConsider the potential consequences of improving one's own BATNA, including the potential impact on the other side's BATNA.
    WarningFailing to identify opportunities to improve one's own BATNA can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.
  2. Identify opportunities to worsen the other side's BATNA
    Look for ways to worsen the other side's BATNA, such as by reducing their alternative options or decreasing their bargaining power.
    Pro tipConsider the potential consequences of worsening the other side's BATNA, including the potential impact on the negotiation outcome.
    WarningFailing to identify opportunities to worsen the other side's BATNA can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.

Checklist

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Examples

1 cases
Complex negotiation

In a complex negotiation, one side improves its own BATNA by developing an alternative option, increasing its bargaining power. The other side worsens its BATNA by reducing its alternative options, decreasing its bargaining power. The first side gains an advantage in the negotiation, increasing its share of the pie.

OutcomeThe first side reaches a more favorable agreement, with a larger share of the pie.

Common mistakes

2 traps
Failing to identify opportunities to improve one's own BATNA
Not identifying opportunities to improve one's own BATNA can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.
Failing to identify opportunities to worsen the other side's BATNA
Not identifying opportunities to worsen the other side's BATNA can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The concept of influencing BATNAs is rooted in game theory and has been applied to various real-world scenarios, including complex, high-stakes negotiations. The idea is that by improving one's own BATNA or worsening the other side's BATNA, a party can increase its share of the pie.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to Success in Business and Life
Dixit, Avinash K. · 2008
Open source →