What is the Seven Elements method?
At MediatingWorks we use a model developed by Harvard University in which each session is viewed through seven distinct elements which are common to all negotiations:
What are the seven elements?
Standards: These are the criteria, or the values, by which each party legitimises their perspective. In a farm succession process, Gregory begins the process by asking family members to reflect on the standards of the farming business and the core values of the family which have operated over many years. Values are standards which are a reference point and determine planning processes and human interaction.
Next we look at parties’ interests. Interests are someone’s needs, wants, concerns, hopes and fears: in essence, what’s important to them. We get participants to examine their own interests, and to think about other parties' interests.
Options are all the creative ways of having your interests met. At this point we brainstorm, and explore all the options. At this point you’re not making any decisions, just putting options on the table.
Next we consider alternatives: if parties can't agree on something, they’ll have to resort to their alternative. What does that look like? These are the walk-awy choices that each party has if agreement or desired resolution cant be reached.
Communication is a crucial element. This includes looking a all the ways of communicating - verbally, non verbally, signals, body language, writing, or action. And it also includes generating the setting for a discussion, and what facilitates communication.
We consider the relationship between parties, the state of connection. You’ll negotiate differently depending on the relationship - spouses, father-son, siblings - it will have a different dynamic, different communication style, different baggage that might need to be addressed.
Finally it’s the commitment - the things you agree to; statements about what a party will or won’t do.
How does the Seven Elements method apply to farm succession planning?
Gregory explains, “I teach participants these seven things. Then I listen to the story, then we talk about how we can prepare for the meeting using this framework we’ve just talked about. The beauty of this method is that we’re able to diagnose in realtime what the problems might be, in the discussions. If you don't know what your interests are, we go there. If the communication isn't working - we go there. If you haven't agreed on a standard, or values to guide the process, we look for an objective standard that works for all parties. It’s dynamic, and we move around the model.”
Like the sound of a proven negotiation method guiding you through your farm succession planning process? Reach out today to talk about how we can work together.