Everything can be negotiated, except…

I think we all came across, at one pint of another in our academic, business or life experience, of a definition of negotiation. And we all understand that negotiation is something the we do every day: at home, with family, in business, at work, at the market or in a shopping mall, at school, with colleagues, teachers or bosses, with friends or family, with suppliers or even strangers…

After a simple Google search, I found one of the definitions of negotiation:

“Negotiation is a method by which people settle differences. It is a process by which compromise or agreement is reached while avoiding argument. In any disagreement, individuals understandably aim to achieve the best possible outcome for their position (or perhaps an organization they represent). However, the principles of fairness, seeking mutual benefit and maintaining a relationship are the keys to a successful outcome.”

Source: skillsyouneed.co.uk

We will find definitions of the term and further information on what skills are needed for a good negotiator in probably millions of websites – and thousands of books – however, not easy to find something about what cannot be negotiated.

Negotiation means reaching an agreement, through compromise, so whatever cannot be changed by simply reason, cannot be negotiated. So what are those things that cannot be changed by simply reason? Before I gave my own answer, I just wanted to see what other people think about this. Conclusion is, everything can be negotiated, except:

• Happiness
• Family
• Principles
• Beliefs
• Values
• Health
• Nature

Feel free to add to the list things you think cannot be negotiated, no matter what.