S02|11 -Charles Neustaedter

Chad Hughes welcomes Charles Neustaedter, the Realty Section Manager at the City of Surrey in BC, to the show to discuss negotiations. Their conversation covers different types of negotiating as well as the importance of preparation in determining the right approach to use. 

When Charles started at the City of Surrey in 1993, things were very different. He has seen a lot of growth in both the city and technology surrounding his job through the years. He also credits his time with the City as providing him with great mentors. One of the things Charles stresses is the need for a rapport with people, being able to form a relationship.

Chad and Charles talk about different negotiation approaches, using the “funnel technique” to handle a difficult situation, why Charles works to find commonality between himself and the property owner, and the necessity of time to forge a successful negotiation. Charles advises that training never ends, that there is never a time to stop finding tools to aid in your work. This is a very insightful interview on the ins and outs of making deals with people in a respectful and successful manner.

“... I always have the philosophy that there's no stupid question. And so even at the risk of perhaps being a bit self-deprecating, I'll ask the question anyways. Because I just have this desire to understand and if I have that understanding, then I can certainly share that with someone whose property is being impacted. And I would also suggest [that] your communication skills are hugely important as well.” - Charles Neustaedter

About Charles Neustaedter:

As of 2022, Charles Neustaedter has twenty-nine years of experience at the City of Surrey in the Real Estate Division. He manages two sections in the Real Estate Division: Property Acquisition Section (civil works projects) and the Conveyancing Section.

Charles is conversant in civil design and assisting with solutions to mitigate property impact. He is keenly interested in a collaborative problem solving approach with a servant leadership mindset. He truly considers working with Civil Engineers, Appraisers, Lawyers and Property Owners to achieve consensual settlements for capital projects of great importance. Charles works at building relationships as he believes that to be imperative to success.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Charles Neustaedter | Realty Section Manager at City of Surrey: website | linkedin