A bad reputation will always precede you. If you come to the negotiation table with a bad reputation, your counterpart will rightly be on the defensive despite considering a deal with you. Counterparts will be cautious and less inclined to make concessions. A good reputation brings more business and better business referrals. I personally prefer doing business and negotiating with people who have a positive record for generating money not only for themselves, but also for their partners. These are win-win partners.
No matter how often or seldom the following is committed, one's reputation in business can be quickly tarnished if:
1 - One tries to gain unfair advantages when negotiating Fairness means treating people in a way that is just and reasonable. What you obtain through unfairness rests on an unstable foundation
2 - One tell lies by omission or commission. It is a mistake to think that in order to master negotiation you have to be good at deceiving. You leave poison behind you by doing so, which could create irreparable damage to your reputation.
3 - One is a taker before being a giver. Self-interest, as a code of conduct, exposes takers to limited trustworthiness, missed opportunities, and a bad reputation. Those who fit this mould see negotiation as a zero-sum game.
4 - One doesn’t control his/her anger. Inflamed emotions can cause you to leak information that was intended to keep private. Losing control of your emotions is almost always seen as disrespectful. You may make short-term gains through anger, but there’s a good chance you’ll pay for it in damage to your reputation or business in the long run.
5 - One gossips. Some people can’t help it. Talking bad about others or spreading false information erodes trust regardless if the gossip is true or false. You look bad by doing so because it means you cannot keep things confidential and you may be talking the same way about the person you are sharing the information with.
6 - One doesn't keep his/her promises. Keep your word, even it is expensive and inconvenient. Your word is your true value. Keeping your word is actually valued more by others than exceeding your promises.
Value your integrity above all else.
