The Danish EU Presidency in 2025: influence if the competencies are in place

An EU presidency means that for six months we have the opportunity to influence the world's largest market. In 2025, we will host a wide range of meetings and negotiations, from working group meetings to formal, multilateral government discussions. We will have the opportunity to showcase our green profile, our ability to negotiate complex issues and our dynamic society with a healthy economy, transparency and a vibrant welfare state. A presidency means taking initiatives, bringing people together and delivering results together with the other member states - under our leadership.

Here's our best advice depending on your role in the EU Presidency.

• Three tips for the meeting leader
• Three tips for your dealer
• Three tips for the presidency in a multicultural EU

Claus Adam Jarløv
Founder, Consultant, MA (English | psych)

Three tips for the meeting leader

A meeting consists of a myriad of components, the most important of which are personal, psychological and technical.

Tip 1 - your personal appearance

As a meeting leader, make sure you're visible and leave no doubt that you're in control of the meeting: breathe "all the way down" so that your body straightens, your voice becomes clearer and your appearance takes on authority.

Tip 2 - the social zone of the meeting

During the meeting, the moderator should be aware that we are people who are working together to achieve a result: a meeting is a social event The blue zone is informal and social with laughter and small talk - plus things related to the meeting itself. When the meeting is in the blue zone, it tends to take place standing up, perhaps with a cup of coffee, at the restaurant or on the bus. In the blue zone, we are the people we are.

Tip 3 - the formal zone of the meeting

Where the blue zone is informal and personal, the red zone is bound by rules and procedures. The language is different, more controlled and polite, participants sit down, there are documents and an agenda, etc. We are no longer people, but functions representing a certain point of view. The competent moderator can switch between the blue and red zone during the meeting, depending on whether there is a need for an informal bilateral chat in the blue zone or a conclusion on a specific topic in the red zone

Three tips for your dealer

As an EU negotiator, you are a small part of a complex machinery. When we hold the presidency, this small part is a lot bigger! The three phases of the negotiation are crucial

Tip 1 - be patient

Impatient and uncertain negotiators are prone to making deals before options are properly explored. Negotiating without making untimely commitments requires mastering the language of work properly. Prepare an opening line that paints a picture of your delegation's overall point of view without committing to anything!

Tip 2 - be specific and ask questions

The Presidency must deliver results. Misunderstandings can be absolutely devastating, especially if they occur late in the process. Ask and keep asking what the other party really means. Don't be blinded by words, focus on what the words stand for: concepts and principles.

Tip 3 - be critical of your mandate

Your mandate is the room for maneuver you've been given for your negotiation. A presidency has two main purposes: to show the world that we are capable of managing the complex apparatus that is the EU; and to ensure that we deliver concrete results. Your mandate is subject to negotiation with your superiors. You negotiate both with your boss and with other member states.

Three tips for the presidency in a multicultural EU

Tip 1 - be curious about "the others"

It's a good idea to read about how to engage with different cultures. But we need to show genuine interest in "the other" if we are to find a common wavelength. Ask "how you do it". When we show interest in others, we become interesting!

Tip 2 - formality is your protection

Different cultures have different behaviors. In Denmark, we are direct, efficient and skilled. The downside is that we can be perceived as rude, insensitive and arrogant. Other cultures express themselves more indirectly, use titles and place more emphasis on personal appearance. This can make many Danes feel insecure. When in doubt, be formal in your language and appearance until you understand what is expected.

Tip 3 - use language!

In an EU presidency, we have our national language - our mother tongue, which shapes our identity. We have specific sayings that are rooted in our history and may seem odd to others: "thanks for the food", "thanks for last time", etc. Use them!

We also have the other person's native language - when communicating one-on-one, we need to be critical of what is "really" meant.
And then there is the working language, in our case English. Remember, you won't be judged on your perfect English grammar and pronunciation, only on your use of the language as a necessary tool. So learn the most important formal expressions in English and use them!

Here you can read more about negotiation techniques with either a businessor government focus.

Understanding and dealing with your counterpart in negotiation and conflict

Navigating an important negotiation can be a tricky balancing act. The perfect negotiation balances on the knife's edge between expressing your views clearly and concisely - without coming across as know-it-all or unapproachable.

But in today's fast-paced and globalized work environment, conflicts and negotiations can be particularly difficult to manage because cultural, linguistic and attitudinal barriers can easily arise.

Cecilie Tejnø
Consultant, Translator, MSc

Thus, conflicts lurk like landmines beneath the surface, threatening to blow up harmony. But with empathetic understanding and effective management of your counterpart, you can navigate the challenges of everyday life and conduct successful negotiations - whether it's a minor conflict at the water cooler at work, or more important negotiations if you're negotiating as a representative of a public institution or ministry or if you conducting negotiations with international customers and business partners.

Are you ready to get better at understanding and handling your counterpart in negotiation and conflict? Read more here, or dive into our effective coursesthat strengthen your leadership strategies and cross-cultural communication skills.

A guide to analyzing and understanding your counterpart's interests and goals

Understanding your counterpart begins with identifying their interests and goals. Constructive dialog can be an effective tool for gathering this important information, which can give you a deeper understanding of their expectations and priorities.

Constructive dialog includes active listening and engaged questions, where you strive to understand what your counterpart is striving for - or what they fear losing.

Having a clear understanding of your counterpart's expectations and priorities can be crucial to the outcome of your interactions. It helps you identify areas of mutual interest, as well as areas where more discussion or negotiation may be needed. This knowledge can help you create strategies that both satisfy your counterpart's needs and help you achieve your own goals.

Psychological tips to help you read your counterpart

Understanding your counterpart in a conflict or negotiation is crucial for a successful dialog. But to fully understand your counterpart, it's not enough to just listen to what they tell you. There are a lot of motives and attitudes hiding under the psychological iceberg that you can dive into by observing body language and tone of voice, among other things. But what specific psychological tips can you use to read your counterpart in a negotiation or conflict?

1. Do you speak body language?
2. Understand your counterpart's individual personality type and communication preference
3. Decode your counterpart's motivations and priorities

Do you speak body language?

It can certainly be useful when trying to decode what your counterpart is telling you non-verbally. Body language is a subtle but powerful communication channel that can reveal a lot about a person's thoughts, feelings and intentions. Here are some specific examples of how you can decipher body language:

• Notice the eye contact:
  Eye contact can be a sign of trust, honesty and engagement. If your counterpart maintains eye contact, it can indicate that they are focused and engaged in the conversation. If they are avoiding eye contact, it could indicate that they are insecure, lying or uncomfortable. If this is the case, you can try to create a more comfortable space, for example, by using welcoming phrases such as: "I hear what you're saying", "I agree with you...", etc.

• Observe your counterpart's facial expressions:
  A smile can be a known sign of positivity and openness, while a tight mouth or a furrowed brow can be a sign of irritation or frustration. A raised eyebrow can indicate surprise or skepticism.

• Posture is revealing:
  A straight posture can indicate confidence and authority, while a slumped posture can signal insecurity, low self-esteem or lack of commitment. Try to straighten your back and speak clearly so that you appear confident.

However, it's important to note that body language can be highly individual and influenced by cultural differences - so it's always important to take context into account when trying to interpret it. Furthermore, many signals can be non-specific or ambiguous, so it's always a good idea to confirm your observations through direct communication.

Identify your counterpart's personality type and communication preference

This involves understanding how they normally react to situations and how they best communicate their thoughts and feelings. For example, are they introverted or extroverted? Do they prefer direct or indirect communication? This information can help you adapt your approach and make your communication more effective.

Depending on who your counterpart is, conflicts or discussions require different handling. For cooperative counterparts, you can strive for win-win solutions, while competitive counterparts require specific tactics to withstand intense pressure.

Understand what motivates your counterpart

When decoding non-verbal communication, it's important to understand what drives the person. This could be anything from personal ambitions to professional goals - or even deeper values and beliefs.

By identifying these motivational factors, you can better understand your counterpart's decision-making processes and predict their possible reactions. This way, you can also predict where your counterpart is likely to compromise, and thus where you can demand more - and vice versa.

GlobalDenmark helps you manage and understand your counterpart in conflicts or negotiations

At GlobalDenmark we are experts in negotiation skills and can give you the tools to deal with and understand your counterpart - no matter how difficult the situation you face. We offer tailored courses to help you with your unique challenges - whether you represent a company, a government or an international organization.

In today's global workplace, many conflicts and misunderstandings can also arise due to language and cultural barriers. GlobalDenmark is a professional translation agencythat can help you break down any language barriers so you can communicate effectively and smoothly. Let us help you turn your conflicts and negotiations into a strength instead of a challenge.

Argumentation and conflict management

Every day you encounter situations where argumentation and conflict management are crucial to your success. This can be anything from minor communication situations in your workplace to more serious situations when you, for example negotiating on behalf of an agency or ministryor when you negotiating with international customers and partnerswho have an interest in your company's services.

In all of these situations, conflicts can arise and if not handled properly and effectively, can create an unhealthy atmosphere in your workplace or damage important work processes.

Cecilie Tejnø
Consultant, Translator, MSc

So, good conflict management and argumentation can benefit you in negotiations and strengthen your relationships in all aspects - but how can you train your argumentation and conflict management?

The role of argumentation in conflict management

Argumentation is fundamental to resolving conflict. That's because it's essential that you can present your views clearly and effectively before there's any chance of you and your counterpart reaching an agreement. Argumentation helps you to communicate your ideas, convince others of your views and find constructive solutions to conflicts.

To become a better arguer, however, you need to understand and develop your negotiation techniques. Global-Denmark can help you do this - whether you are a public or private negotiator - through our specialized courseswhich focus on cross-cultural management, communication and bridge-building dialog.

Effective strategies for argumentation and conflict management

When dealing with conflict, you can't avoid using argumentation. You'll benefit from drawing on a number of effective conflict resolution strategies that can help you communicate your point of view clearly and help you and your counterpart reach an agreement. These strategies include:

1. The identification of common goals and interests
2. Use logic and evidence in your argumentation
3. Empathize and listen to your counterpart's arguments

1. first and foremost, identifying your and your counterpart's common goals and interests can be very helpful. This strategy is based on both parties arguing their point of view and expressing openly and honestly what each party thinks. You can then do a joint analysis of the arguments to identify the overlaps in the arguments. This creates a common ground from which further dialog can stem. If there is a common ground that you can work together around, it can pave the way for a range of constructive solutions that meet the needs of both parties.

2. Once common goals have been established and the tone of the conflict is solution-oriented and perhaps even agreeable, it's time to convince your counterpart of your views. By supporting your views with reliable data or clear reasoning, you increase your chances of gaining understanding and acceptance of your positions - simply because your views seem logical and factual rather than opinion-based.

3. Finally, listening skills and empathy are indispensable tools in any form of conflict management. The ability to understand and acknowledge your counterpart's perspectives can be a difficult art to master. However, it's worth working on as it can help you break down any hostile barriers. This creates a more open and respectful dialog. By demonstrating that you are able to see things from the other party's point of view, you can help reduce tensions and find a solution that benefits all parties involved.

Global-Denmark strengthens your argumentation and conflict management skills

Conflict can be challenging, especially if there are different opinions, interests or even cultural differences involved. However, many conflicts can be prevented through early communication, setting expectations and respecting differences.

At Global-Denmark, we can help you overcome these challenges through our negotiation skills training courses. In addition, language barriers can arise in negotiation contexts. This is where Global-Denmark's translation agency can help. We offer professional Danish-English translation where you can be sure that no points are lost.

Conflict management and argumentation are important skills in both professional and personal life. By understanding the principles and techniques involved, you can turn conflict into opportunities for learning and growth. Global-Denmark is here to help you on this journey.

The psychological factors in the negotiation process

Negotiation is an integral part of our everyday lives. Whether it's international politics, business deals or simple daily social interactions, many situations involve some form of negotiation.

However, in order to master the art of effective negotiation, it is crucial to understand the psychological factors that play a role in these negotiations. GlobalDenmark offers customized negotiation skills courses designed to provide a better understanding of, among other things, the psychological processes that take place at the negotiating table, so that participants leave the course with an increased ability to conduct negotiations with global customers and partners on an international level.

Cecilie Tejnø
Consultant, Translator, MSc

Psychology in the negotiation process

When we negotiate, there are many psychological factors that influence us. Our emotional intelligence, self-perception, perception of information and cognitive bias all play a key role in our behavior and the decisions we make at the negotiating table. But how do these psychological factors actually affect us in a negotiation context?

The link between emotional intelligence and success at the negotiating table

Our emotional intelligence is our ability to understand, express and manage our emotions. It affects us in negotiation situations because high emotional intelligence helps us make sound decisions and decode signals from our counterparts. By understanding both our own and the other party's emotions, we can better navigate and adapt our negotiation techniques to the specific negotiation situation. Therefore, high emotional intelligence can significantly increase our performance at the negotiating table.

Self-esteem and self-perception in negotiation contexts

But our self-esteem and self-perception also matter at the negotiating table. Self-esteem and self-perception can affect us in the negotiation process because there can be a correlation between self-esteem and the propensity to compromise. A person with high self-esteem is often more confident and less likely to compromise. A strong self-esteem can therefore increase our performance in negotiations.

Perception and interpretation

Our perception and interpretation of information is also important in negotiations of any caliber. If we misunderstand or misinterpret information, it can lead to errors in our decision-making process. It is therefore important to have concrete tools to help interpret information from the other party. 

Create value at the negotiating table with GlobalDenmark's negotiation skills courses

In an increasingly globalized world, negotiation skills are an indispensable competence. At GlobalDenmark, we have designed courses in negotiation skills that, among other things, increase the participants' ability to understand the psychological factors that form the basis of our behavior in negotiation contexts.

The course is beneficial for representatives of a government, a management team, a committee or a company - because a sharp negotiation technique can help you achieve better results. If we know the psychological aspects of negotiation techniques, we can avoid unnecessary barriers when sitting at the long table and making agreements with counterparts.

Government Focus: Negotiating on behalf of public authorities

GlobalDenmark offers international courses with both a Government Focuswhich is suitable for those who negotiate on behalf of public authorities. This course increases both analytical tools and process and cultural understanding, and increases the possibility of favorable agreements for representatives negotiating on behalf of a government agency or ministry.

Business Focus: Improving international negotiation skills

Our international course with a Business Focus is designed for negotiators in an international business environment and provides concrete tools to improve your negotiation skills.

At GlobalDenmark, we use real-life cases and concrete theoretical training. In this way, participants are guaranteed a good outcome and an improved ability to achieve success in negotiations. Choose GlobalDenmark and gain tools that really create value at the negotiating table.