Thomas Hayman - The training should not be necessary for licensing requirement I'd say.

It's a skill and cannot be easily taught.

People have said I am a "born negotiator" so I don't feel a strong need personally. But I have coached several people and sat in to help in some challenging negotiations. i do think it is an important skill some have and others need to develop.

I think it would benefit us to know how to negotiate the best we can and be fair to all parties, so yes, it would be a benefit.

No it's not necessary, some are just true naturals. I felt the need to improve my negotiation skills and took the MCNE certification program which brought more awareness in helping achieve common goals between parties.

Of course, yes.

Good morning Thomas;

Prior to becoming a real estate agent, my husband and I ran a small business in the service sector.  It didn't take very long for us to learn how to negotiate; actually, my husband preferred that I wear the negotiating hat, so I did.

There were so many lessons learned in those years that have translated perfectly into my real estate career. My clients would say I'm a natural-born negotiator, but I would tell you that the experience I gained from running a small business for years was priceless...

Everyone comes to this job (just like any other) with certain strengths and weaknesses. A good agent should be able to recognize both, and should take training in the areas they are weak in to beef themselves up.

Since I'm already strong in this skill, for me to earn a designation in negotiating would be kind of like having great upper body strength, only to go to the gym and train the upper body further, ignoring the lower body...wouldn't make much sense...

I have found that my skill sets often grow simply because I am willing to take quiet time and analyze situations.  Typically, I do this at night or early in the mornings. I find that quiet reflection frequently yields deep insights into the market, trends, client relationships, and working with peers that I'm not certain can be taught in any class.

The willingness to sit and think is what has built my real estate muscles over time.  Don't get me wrong, I have several designations and I learned a lot from each class.

But real-world experience, real-world trusting your gut?  There's no other compass quite like it.   

It definitely is a good skill but I wouldn't make it mandatory.  Some people seem like natural negotiators and it may feel like they were "born" with it.  However, I strongly believe that this skill, like many others, can be learnt.  Everyone doesn't become an expert negotiator but most people can benefit from knowing what are good ways of approaching a conversation to lead to win-win outcomes, which should be the goal of almost every negotiation.  

Thomas Hayman Negotiation skills should be sought out by every agent. I don't think it should be part of licensing training.

Of course not.

Licensing training?  !!!!LL no!!!

Those REO agents don't need any of that.

To be the best real estate agent you can be? I suggest all agents must be able to run a 5k in less than 35 minutes. (10K in less that 85 minutes) That will make their thinking clearer, reduce their stress, improve their endurance, more recuperative rest, lose weight and yes, make them better agents. 

Negotiation training? Does it not depend one whose training you are talking about. What if it is the 'abuse and dismiss' method modeled by the ogre on Shark Tank? "You're dead to me." That is a great negotiation tactic and his method creates a real pleasant atmosphere. Right?

I think it would not hurt.  Some people give away too much information

I think it's good training, but I don't think it should be required. I have a Certified Negotiation Expert designation. The course has been very useful to me, and I highly recommend it.