What is one risk of adopting a competitive negotiation approach?

Adopting a competitive negotiation approach often prioritizes the achievement of one's own goals over the interests of the other party. This focus on winning can lead to an atmosphere of distrust and can cause significant damage to relationships. When negotiators adopt a competitive stance, they may employ tactics that feel aggressive or adversarial, which can alienate the other party and inhibit open communication.

This approach can create a win-lose scenario where one party gains at the expense of the other, potentially leading to resentment and conflict in future interactions. Trust is vital in business negotiations, as it facilitates collaboration and long-term partnerships. A competitive approach risks undermining this trust, making it more challenging to work together effectively in the future.

In contrast, the other options highlight outcomes that are generally not associated with competitive negotiation. Strong partnerships and increased understanding typically arise from collaborative approaches, while longer negotiation processes might occur for various reasons, but are not a direct risk of competitive tactics.