Why cat owners are great negotiators

Detecting body language and other non-verbal cues during negotiations can be the difference between winning and losing a deal. Cat owners have an edge in negotiations simply due to the fact that they spend hours a day observing their cats and trying to figure out whether they are happy, sad, in the mood to play etc. That is a free negotiation course. From short and mid-pitch meows to the purr and hiss, cats have their own communication system to communicate with their owners who in turn have a long list of sounds and gestures to memorise. Although it is tricky to understand at first, cat owners often find a way to associate certain gestures with certain requests and get proficient in detecting non-verbal cues. For example, a vibrating tail is a sign of excitement and happiness while ears back is a sign of fear and anxiety. If you can differentiate between different types of meows or tell the mood of your cat by just looking at its tail then understanding people behaviour is a piece of cake.

Practise makes perfect. To be fully proficient in negotiations, it is important to practise your pitch and different techniques by trying mock negotiations with colleagues, friends or ideally your cat. Good preparation includes identifying a clear goal (get my cat to stop running around the house at 2am), setting compromises (give up half my bed), laying down unacceptable terms (I will not give away more treats), understand potential objections and possible outcomes (a straight refusal to cooperate or a quiet night). These small negotiation sessions with little stubborn creatures give cat owners the much needed experience and patience to deal with stubborn people in real life.