Introduction: How Revolving Change Views Negotiation in Everyday Life

At Revolving Change, we believe that negotiation is not just a business skill—it’s a life skill. Every day, people engage in negotiations without realizing it, whether it’s discussing project deadlines with colleagues, determining workload distribution in a team, or resolving a disagreement with a family member.

Jorge Loebl, founder of Revolving Change, explains, “We even negotiate with ourselves. When we face a situation where we know we need to do something unpleasant, frustrating, or outside of our comfort zone, we start negotiating internally. Some people even make deals with themselves—like, ‘If I finish this project, I’ll treat myself to something.’”

Despite negotiating daily, many people approach it reactively rather than strategically, leading to:

• Missed professional opportunities (e.g., failing to negotiate a well-deserved raise or flexible work schedule).
• Frustrating team dynamics (e.g., unclear role expectations, resentment over imbalanced workloads).
• Ineffective leadership (e.g., failing to gain buy-in for new initiatives).

At Revolving Change, we train leaders, professionals, and teams to master intentional, structured negotiation skills that drive professional success, improve workplace relationships, and create better alignment.

The Hidden Negotiations You Encounter Every Day

At work and in life, negotiation opportunities arise constantly, but without structure, people often:

• Default to emotional responses rather than rational decision-making.
• Fail to recognize leverage points that could improve their situation.
• Avoid tough conversations altogether, leading to unresolved conflicts.

At Revolving Change, we help professionals understand the importance of negotiation in leadership, workplace dynamics, and career growth. Some common negotiation scenarios include:

1. Career Growth & Compensation – Discussing raises, negotiating job offers, or redefining role expectations.
2. Workplace Dynamics – Managing workloads, setting boundaries, and aligning team expectations.
3. Leadership Influence – Securing buy-in for new initiatives, balancing team conflicts, and guiding decision-making.
4. Client & Vendor Negotiations – Establishing pricing agreements, project timelines, and long-term partnerships.
5. Personal Productivity & Mental Resilience – Managing self-imposed deadlines and expectations.

Loebl emphasizes the importance of recognizing these daily negotiations: “We negotiate all the time, but most of us do it intuitively, not by design. If we prepare for negotiations, we’ll get much better outcomes.”

Revolving Change’s Framework for Everyday Negotiation Mastery

At Revolving Change, we use a structured Discover-Design-Deliver (3D) methodology for mastering negotiation skills in everyday work environments.

1. Discover: Recognize Your Daily Negotiation Blind Spots

• Identify areas where you frequently compromise too quickly.
• Reframe challenges as negotiation opportunities rather than conflicts.
• Observe power dynamics in your daily interactions.

Loebl stresses that awareness is the first step to mastering negotiation. “The problem is, we don’t always realize we are negotiating. A lot of decisions in life—big or small—are actually negotiations in disguise.”

For example, if a team member keeps missing deadlines and it impacts your work, how you approach the conversation will determine the outcome. Do you:

• Confront them aggressively? (Likely escalating the conflict)
• Stay silent and do extra work yourself? (Resentment builds)
• Negotiate a solution that creates accountability while maintaining trust? (Best long-term outcome)

The ability to identify these moments as negotiations is what separates average professionals from effective leaders.

2. Design: Set Clear Objectives & Plan Your Approach

• Define your ideal outcome and non-negotiables before the conversation.
• Use strategic questioning to steer discussions toward mutually beneficial solutions.
• Prepare for potential resistance and plan your responses.

Many workplace negotiations fail due to poor preparation.

Loebl shares a real-world example: “A client told me he’d never hire Gen Z workers again because he felt they ‘ripped him off’ in negotiations. But when I asked how he prepared, it turned out he didn’t define what he wanted beforehand. The younger professionals simply out-negotiated him.”

To avoid this mistake, we teach professionals to define what success looks like in each negotiation, whether it’s:

• A fair division of responsibilities among team members.
• A compensation package that reflects their true value.
• A schedule that promotes both productivity and work-life balance.

Preparation puts you in control of the negotiation instead of reacting to the other party’s demands.

3. Deliver: Execute with Confidence & Close the Conversation Effectively

• Keep emotions in check and maintain professionalism.
• Use active listening to find common ground.
• Ensure both parties leave the conversation with clear expectations.

Loebl explains why emotional intelligence is essential: “An emotionally charged negotiation is often a failed negotiation. But the truth is, emotions are non-negotiable—we feel what we feel. The key is neutralizing strong emotions so they don’t dictate the outcome.”

At Revolving Change, we train professionals to:

• Use strategic silence when necessary. A well-placed pause can shift power dynamics.
• Ask clarifying questions to diffuse tension. For example, instead of saying, “You never support my ideas,” try, “How can we ensure that my contributions are considered more fairly?”
• Follow up in writing after workplace negotiations to prevent miscommunication.

The final test of a successful negotiation is whether both parties walk away knowing exactly what was agreed upon.

Final Takeaway: Negotiation is Your Competitive Advantage

Negotiation is not just a business tool—it’s a personal and professional advantage that can:

• Strengthen workplace relationships by fostering transparency and fairness.
• Reduce workplace frustration by ensuring clearer role expectations.
• Improve career growth by helping professionals advocate for themselves more effectively.

At Revolving Change, we believe that structured negotiation skills lead to better leadership, workplace harmony, and long-term professional success.

If you are ready to master everyday negotiation strategies, join any of our Memberships to gain access to expert training, real-world negotiation techniques, and leadership insights that will transform the way you approach workplace conversations.