How would you react if an engineer on your team took a sales/negotiation course?
I'm thinking about taking one. Update: thanks everyone for the votes and comments. It seems as if it's ok to share that I'm taking this course during my days off in a few weeks.
Don’t really care what people do in their free time.
Why do you give a fuck about what they think? You are learning in your free time - that is better than many can say.
I want to make a bigger impact and gain influence. I just don't want people to think I'll become like a car sales person or win-lose negotiator or that I have too much ambition. Then I'll definitely lose some ability to make an impact
Then don’t tell them if you are uncomfortable about it. I’m sure you don’t tell your coworkers the intimate details of your sex life.
Negotiating is a great skill for both work and life. Do it.
I use to know a guy who did this at an IT consulting company I worked for years ago. He moved from being a developer into the sales side of the business. Said it was easier and made more $$$ for him. Even if that isn’t the goal, learning to work with customers is never a bad thing.
Did you care about the possibility of losing a teammate?
No, I was happy for him. He found his niche. I ended up quitting myself shortly after to pursue my own business. People move on... part of life.
Any manager who would negatively judge you for learning anything is someone you should run far far away from
This was helpful for me. Thanks, everyone!!
Honestly make yourself better and I can’t imagine anyone who’d protest. I’ll say this is something that you can’t learn easily - at least not from a class. My wife took one at a top mba and I’d cringe reading her books. There are a few good seminars you can attend but a lot comes from seeing someone great in action over time. Also selling and negotiating are very different - I find sales a lot harder. Good luck!
Off topic, but what courses are you considering? Any recommendations for someone interested in this?
What's the course? Details?
University course on selling, negotiating, and influence