“Remember to take your SCARF into negotiations” may seem like odd advice. It isn’t. SCARF, an acronym for Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness and Fairness, should not be overlooked and should be taken into account when entering into negotiations.
Briefly:
- “Status” refers to the need to be respected and treated as an equal;
- “Certainty” to the need for some predictability and security;
- “Autonomy” the sense of having choices and some control;
- “Relatedness” the need for collegiality and a sense of belonging/trust; and
- “Fairness” is a justice/rule driven priority.