Situation in negotiation: In a worst-case scenario like an emergency, you may only have a few seconds to act. What might you have to do?

• A. Gather more information.
• B. Delay the decision.
• C. Flex your position power to impose a short-term solution.
• D. Do nothing.

Answer: (C)

When time is absolutely critical, the priority is to prevent stall and keep the negotiation moving. In an emergency, you may not have the luxury to gather more information or wait for perfect conditions, so acting decisively is essential. Using your position power to impose a short-term, workable solution helps stabilize the situation right away, preserves leverage, and buys you time to address details later when there’s more space to negotiate. This approach is about practicality and risk management: you secure a concrete outcome now to prevent worse outcomes from indecision, with a clear plan to revisit and formalize a longer-term agreement once the pressure eases.