What is a key difference between competitive and collaborative negotiation strategies?

The reasoning behind the choice that competitive strategies focus on maximizing one’s gain centers on the fundamental principles of negotiation types. Competitive negotiation is often described as a zero-sum game, where the gain of one party is made at the expense of another. This strategy involves aims such as achieving the best possible outcome for oneself without regard for the other party's needs or benefits. Negotiators using this approach are typically focused on winning and securing the most advantageous terms for themselves, which aligns directly with maximizing one's gain.

On the other hand, the other options reflect misconceptions about collaborative and competitive negotiations. For instance, focusing on mutual benefit is more characteristic of collaborative strategies, which aim to find solutions that are advantageous for all parties involved. Likewise, the idea that collaborative strategies are always more successful ignores the situational dependency of negotiation outcomes; success can vary greatly depending on the context and the stakeholders involved. Hence, the distinction between prioritizing individual gain in competitive strategies versus finding mutual benefit in collaborative strategies is significant in understanding negotiation dynamics.