Before this class, I was afraid of and avoided negotiations. Now, I have a strategy, think of the interests of the other person, and know how to prepare my argument clearly and strongly. I now have courage.
–“Kiki” | Together We Bake
A Negotiation Works Milestone:
1000 Trained Negotiators
Since 2017, we have taught over 1000 participants through 91 multi-week courses, with 507 individual class meetings. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without our 16 amazing partners. Thank you!
Lessons Learned
Charles Hopkins, a 2020 graduate of the Georgetown Pivot Program told us “The world would be better if everyone took this class.” When we heard this from Charles, we took a step back and realized that everyone – beyond our classes – might benefit from the skills we teach regularly, especially in our current polarized world. Read more about this in our Op-Ed “The World Would Be Better If Everyone Took This Class,” and let us know what YOU think.
As we reflect on this milestone, we know that each student who has gone through our course has grown, and that every class we have taught has affected the resilience of the community. It is the reflections and stories shared by individual Negotiation Works participants and volunteers that illustrate so clearly how our program helps them achieve their personal goals and strengthen communities.
This class is a refresher course for getting back into life.
– “Shelly” | Calvary Women’s Services
I taught a lot of what I learned in this class to my teenage daughter. It helped her to communicate with me more effectively, and it also helped her to communicate with her teachers more effectively.
– Ernest | Georgetown Pivot Program
I will use what I've learned to be more mindful of my daily interactions and more considerate and realistic about getting to solutions with others.
– Imani | Together We Bake
This class helped me think critically and be a better negotiator and a better listener. These tools will help people work through their problems more effectively.
– Pascal | Georgetown Pivot Program
Negotiation is not used just in government or by diplomats. It’s for everyone, is used in everyday and personal life, and is something that everyone can understand. Negotiation is achievable.
– Alice Taveres | Negotiation Works volunteer data analyst
This course gave me the incentive to advocate for myself in every situation.
–“Donna” | Together We Bake
A lot of the violence, arguments, and tragedies in the inner city can be solved with a few negotiation tactics taught within the Negotiation Works classes.
– Chemonz Olds | MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program
We do not go through life alone, and negotiation is the foundation of how we can help and communicate with others.
– Shinji Ryu | Negotiation Works volunteer instructor
PARTICIPANT STORIES
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Evette practiced negotiation and self-advocacy at her workplace. Her supervisor needed someone willing to work in a high crime area. Considering her safety along with other work benefits, Evette made an offer to her supervisor: she was willing to work in a high-crime area in exchange for getting weekends and major holidays off. Her supervisor agreed to this, and they arrived at an outcome where everyone got something they wanted.
– Evette, Calvary Women’s Services
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Eric was shopping with his wife to buy Easter baskets for their kids. They had a disagreement over which basket to purchase. His wife wanted to purchase a more expensive basket while he wanted a less expensive one. Eric, recognizing his wife’s perspective, identified her interest in wanting to get the best possible basket for their children. The couple compromised on a third basket that was less expensive than the one his wife initially wanted but more expensive than the one he had wanted. This third basket was the perfect compromise for them both: it contained many of the items his wife had liked in her first choice basket but for a better price.
– Eric, MORCA - Georgetown Paralegal Program
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David wanted to travel to see family during the Thanksgiving holiday. However, he was unable to do so because he was still under probation. He negotiated with his probation officer for a “travel pass” which allowed him three days to visit relatives. David noted that his transparency and willingness to meet in the middle were negotiation strategies that helped him get what he wanted in this situation.
– David, Georgetown Pivot Program
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Roneka and her roommate share a bathroom in the DC Jail. Their floor doesn’t have a detail assigned so they are in charge of cleaning their bathroom, which includes two toilets and two sinks. They decided that they would each be in charge of cleaning up after themselves and the part of the bathroom that they use. This solution resulted in less tension and a clean living space for both of them.
– Roneka, Department of Corrections (Women’s Unit)
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Layne used negotiation skills to handle a conflict she was experiencing with a friend. Layne recognized she needed to express how she felt in a calm and respectful way. She stepped back and waited for the right time to bring up her emotions. In this way, Layne felt that she could approach her friend with courage and tell her friend how she was feeling. She was pleased to have handled the situation maturely.
– Layne, Together We Bake
CELEBRATING TODAY AND LOOKING AHEAD
Now that we have reached 1000 participants, we are ready to keep going and growing! Here’s a glimpse of where we plan to go from here:
More partners, more classes, more participants: In the next 3 to 5 years, we intend to partner with even more community providers and hope to reach our next 1000 participants in just four years.
New course modules: We recently developed a new employment-focused course module especially for returning citizens that focuses on strategies for negotiating job-related challenges. We plan to build on the success of this new module and customize it for other program partners to meet the specific needs of their clients.
Support for the Spanish-speaking community: We recently completed translating our curricular material into Spanish so we can broaden our community partnerships and work with organizations serving Spanish-speakers.
Volunteers: We recently enhanced our volunteer instructor training to ensure that our instructors are fully equipped with a deep understanding of both negotiation theory and teaching skills. We expect these additions will make our volunteer teaching opportunities even more appealing and supportive for new volunteers.
Ambassadors: We will amplify the voices of our Ambassadors as they further develop their newsletter, The Negotiator Speaks, and explore additional ways for them to engage in community outreach and education, such as developing a peer-to-peer negotiation coaching service.
Evaluation: We will continue exploring best methods to evaluate our impact and learning more about how participants apply negotiation concepts in conflict situations..and then convert this insight into continuous improvement for our curriculum to be most useful for participants, programs, and communities.