Question: Can anyone do my job?*

I think most of you would answer no, not really. We probably all are protective of what we do so we tend to answer in the negative. Some jobs are too complex.
Some aren’t however.

I was told once that any lawyer could do my job. And much better too.
OK, I said. I could tell he meant it. Every word. He was a lawyer.

I negotiate contracts. I’ve supervised labor professionals. I train people on this topic.
And still, I was told that lawyers have a skill set I just don’t have.
OK I said, maybe they do.

I think he was trying to get a rise out of me.
He didn’t.

But I did engage. I explained, different professions – different skill sets.
And in my view, attorneys don’t have the skill set to relate to people very well.
(I thought that was subtle).

I continued, “In my experience, attorneys offered counsel and support in advising their client. They didn’t act as the decision maker. Although lawyers are trained to litigate, a negotiator and litigator actually aren’t the same.”

Didn’t matter, he said.
He was in a higher position title than mine and this was going nowhere fast.

So I told him I was the best negotiator our employer had. I meant it, too.
And I reminded him his boss had hired me to negotiate contracts. Not him.
His response? He laughed.

I remember thinking I may have dodged a bullet just then.

Does this conversation, “I can do your job better than you!” occur in other jobs?
It’s happened to me a few times. Perhaps it’s meant to be well meaning or maybe it’s driven by ego but whatever the reason, the question remains.

Can anyone do my job?*

Well, I don’t think what I do is all that difficult though it has its moments.

But, to be helpful, I’m willing to share some points I’ve learned over the years on the skill set needed for negotiating contracts.

And here they are:

1. Always remember the bottom line. What is it that you absolutely need to win for your side.
2. Don’t take anything personally, even it’s meant to be personal.
17. Remember it’s not about you, not about ego or anything else. And it’s definitely not about resume building.
63. Win/Win is different from Win/Lose which is different from Lose/Lose and sometimes Lose/Lose is the way to go.
146. The bottom line is always what your principal (boss) wants.
213. Whatever you do, Never, Ever, forget #15.

There you have it.

I shared some of them.

*Answer: No, not anyone can do my job.

JT