Power (Part 2)

Good Day Readers, We are going to continue where we left the Topic “Power” . We already have discussed the First Example in our Last Part, if you didn’t checked it out yet, do check it out.
Well, A second Example of the Power of legitimacy: A subordinate in a business organization whips up the nerve to walk into the Boss’s office and says, “You certainly deserve a raise. However…” (“However” is synonymous with “Strike that!“) He shuffles papers aside, points to a printed card positioned under glass on the desk, and quietly states, “It’s unfortunate that you’re at the top of your pay grade.“
The Subordinate mutters, “Oh … I forgot about my pay grade!” and backs off, aced out of what might rightfully be his by printed words. In effect, the subordinate says to himself, “How can i possibly argue with a printed sheet positioned under glass ?” – which may be precisely what the boss wants him to say.
A third Example of the power of legitimacy: 20 years ago I was involved in the Legal end of Real estate. People come to me to sign their leases and have them countersigned. Most paid their security deposits and moved along without reading the forms. On rare occasions someone would say, “I’d like to read the lease before signing it. I have a constitutional rights to do so!” 
I’d always reply, “Of course you have a right to do so. Go right ahead and read it !” 
Halfway through the form the person would exclaim, “Wait a second! Hold it! This document practically makes me an indentured servant for the duration of the Lease!” 
I’d reply, “I doubt that. This is a standard form. There’s the form number in the lower left corner.” 
The person usually responded, “Oh … a standard form. Well, in that case … ” and he or she would sign, bullied into submission by several printed digits that apparently possessed some magical property.
In rare cases where a person still hesitated to sign his / her name, I might add, “The Legal people won’t approve of any changes.” 
Keep in mind that the legal people didn’t even know they wouldn’t approve of any changes. Nevertheless, the phrase worked like a charm, since” legal people” projects, on a wide screen, a powerful image of legitimacy. One theoretically doesn’t fool around with the legal people.
Meanwhile, back at the Sears outlet, you stand staring at that $480.75 sign, overawed by supposedly unchallengeable power, as were the people at the Holiday Inn, the subordinate asking for a raise, and the people signing leases. Yet in none of the situations should you be overawed. Everyone of the situations is negotiable.
How can i say that? Because almost anything that’s the product of a negotiation has got to be negotiable, including the price on the sign above the refrigerator.
Think about it for a moment. How did Sears come up with the $480.75 figure? You know as well as I do. The marketing people said, ” Let’s make it $450. That’ll move a lot of Refrigerators.” 
The Financial people said, ” Prudence dictates that when we sell a refrigerator it should be at a profit. Make that $540“
The Advertising people interrupted and said, ” Psychological studies indicate that the best number is $499.95“
Someone else impatiently said, “Look, we have a business to run. Can’t we get together on this?”  
They did. They compromised. They got together and came up with the $480.75.  There was no Big Printer in the sky.
Some things are not the product of a negotiation. The 10 Commandments was not a negotiated document. it’s certainly difficult to negotiate with the Lord when he presents you with a fait accompli  etched in stone.
The Sermon on the Mount was not a negotiated document. Christ didn’t get together with his followers and say, “Give me your input. We’ll form a task force. Break up into sub committees and work something out.” 
Since these items are ” sacred givens,” they’re in a different category from the Sears price, Holiday Inn’s check-out time, the pay grade, and even the standard lease.
Because so many things are negotiable doesn’t mean that you or I should negotiate all the time. If you were to ask me, “Do you negotiate with the Stores? Do you negotiate with Sears?” 
I’d be perfectly Frank with you and Reply, “One of my Life strategies is never to into Sears.“
My point is, whether you do or don’t negotiate anything should be strictly up to you, based on your answers to the following questions:

1. Am I comfortable negotiating in this particular situation?
2. Will negotiating meet my needs?
3. Is the expenditure of energy and time on my part worth the benefits that i can receive as a result of this encounter?

Only if you, as a unique individual, can answer yes to all three of these questions should you proceed to negotiate. You should always have a sense of mastery over your situations. Pick and choose your opportunities based upon your needs. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated or intimidated by those who aren’t concerned with your best interests.
You have the freedom to choose your attitude toward any given set of circumstances and the ability to affect the outcome. In other words, you can play a much greater role than you thought in shaping you life and improving your lifestyle.

Dear Readers , we have discussed in this Topic with Examples What to do in different situations. Next Topic we are going to start is 

“Getting your feet wet” 
For Updates on Future Articles and Updates Follow me on Social Platforms and Subscribe my YouTube Channel for Many Interesting Videos.