Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, ex-marine Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were returned to the US lasr Friday (2 August).
We asked a range of HR professionals how they can use negotiation skills in their role.
Negotiation is a crucial skill for HR professionals, according to Sophie Clifford, principal consultant at work behaviour and culture consultancy Byrne Dean.
She told HR magazine: “Any changes to ways of working or terms and conditions involves negotiation. This includes restructures, new pay structures or reward mechanisms. But it’s also essential in managing day-to-day conflict issues, which HR tends to be tasked with helping resolve.
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“Sitting in the role of a negotiator or mediator can really position HR to make a significant difference.”
Strong communication skills are essential for HR when negotiating, commented Ruth Cornish, founder of HR consultancy Amelore.
Speaking to HR magazine, she said: "Communicating in a clear and precise way is critical for conveying ideas, expectations and proposals during negotiations. Articulating your points effectively while maintaining professionalism is one of the top negotiation skills that HR must have.
"Likewise being empathetic and seeing things from another point of view can be a game-changer when trying to find a way forward."
Cornish added that building relationships with external stakeholders can help HR with negotiations.
She continued: "Collective bargaining is much easier if you have a trusting and respectful relationship with key stakeholders. Understand their position as well as your own. Be open about the non-negotiables and, where you can, be flexible and create a transparent process."
Read more: How HR can prevent conflict at work
HR professionals could improve their negotiation strategy by learning from previous experience, Clifford added.
She continued: "Do retrospectives to check whether the approach taken was useful in meeting the organisation’s needs. Training in negotiation or mediation skills is also very valuable – negotiation is a skillset on its own."
Cornish pointed to flexibility as a skill that could be improved to strengthen negotiations.
She stressed: "Never make it win-lose. When HR tells a manager or employee 'you can't' or 'you must', it creates immediate conflict.
"Keep your emotions under control. Don't let the other party push your buttons. If you’ve got a visible ego, lose it. It’s a red flag to the other side and will get in your way."
