Change the game and bridge the gap. Engage the other person in mutual problem solving.

Power is another challenge. Most of us tend to rate our own power as too low. Power is whatever you think it is. If you think you have no bargaining chips, you don’t. You have to help both yourself and the other party understand there might be a win/win resolution to an issue if both parties are willing to look for them.

Make it easy for the other party to say yes. Make it hard to say no.

The final and most difficult challenge is to remain calm in the face of all these challenges. Once we start getting emotional too, the ball game is almost over. No matter what the situation, two angry, frustrated, and/or overwrought individuals will seldom be able to think through a solution that works, or that people feel good about.