'Final Offer' Documentary

An image is worth than thousands of words

This week we watched a documentary titled "Final Offer", from 1985. The movie was about US-Canadian General Motors company, and UAW. The main character, Bob White, who was the head of Canadian Union, was fighting for the workers to get them the deal, they deserved. Living under high pressure, he didn't stop his fight, and with a great will, he showed his opponents how strong a man can be.

While I'm not going to spoil the plot, I give you the direct link to the movie on YouTube, where you can watch the entire documentary.

Watching this I was impressed how unexpected negotiations can be. How important are coalitions, and how easily they can be broken. The conclusion I see is that the most important part of negotiations is information. This, and the stubbornness of the negotiator, his or her posture, ability to form coalitions without other parties knowing it, the team that a negotiator has to have... Without them I cannot imagine anyone trying to get any deal in these difficult times.

On the other hand, this documentary shows how much power unions have. One phone call can change everything. One phone call can destroy a man. 

Working as a negotiator, you must prepare yourself to live in very dangerous environment. Don't fool yourself that no one ever will try to harm you. Psychologically. How strong mentally you are defines how well you negotiate.

As a beginner negotiator I see how big potential sociology, psychology and self-development have. A person cannot learn the theory only. A person must encourage him- or herself to live under pressure. If a negotiator cannot manage it, then it's not his world.