Negotiation Works Launches New Single-Session Workshops

By Melissa Reinberg, Negotiation Works Executive Director

Crystal and Pam consulting before an activity

On a warm July day, fifteen residents of Nuvaya, a holistic treatment facility for individuals recovering from addiction, gathered for a two-hour Negotiation Works workshop led by veteran instructors Pam Schwartz and Crystal Song. The residents, all participants in Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit that builds community among people experiencing homelessness or addiction through running, mentorship, and workforce development, were joined by Michaela Sands, Back on My Feet’s DC program coordinator, and Diego Cunningham, a former Back on My Feet participant and current Negotiation Works Alumni Ambassador.

This single-session workshop, a new service offered by Negotiation Works, was the first of several held this past summer for organizations seeking an intensive one-session introductory program that gives participants an opportunity to explore their typical responses to everyday conflicts, such as those involving family, employment, health, and housing. The workshop also helps participants consider the relational aspects of dealing with interpersonal conflicts and engage in small-group discussions about specific conflict scenarios.

Crystal preparing to share the conflict scenarios

Throughout the two-hour workshop, the Back on My Feet participants were engaged and enthusiastic, openly sharing their experiences with conflict and excitedly completing a quiz to determine their dominant negotiation style. The small-group discussions of specific conflict scenarios, which covered situations including a messy roommate, a family member who borrowed money and didn’t pay it back, and a landlord reluctant to offer a lease to someone with a felony conviction, generated many ideas and strategies. Participants contemplated how they might approach someone who is confrontational, or how they could encourage problem-solving with someone who is reticent to engage.

Towards the end of the session, the participants reflected on their key takeaways. “I learn[ed] that….being competitive [is] not the key to a lot of negotiation styles. You can communicate in different ways,” observed Albert.* Oscar, another participant, volunteered that he was newly aware of the importance of acknowledging others’ perspectives. “Be more open minded and pay attention to other people,” he advised. Tameka noted that the workshop helped her learn techniques for how to resolve conflicts and disagreements. “It was a great workshop, and organized,” she said.

Michaela anticipated that the Negotiation Works program would offer several benefits for the Back on My Feet members. “Our community members are in transitional programs that… might limit or hinder their independence,” she observed. “In order to succeed in this space, our members need the ability to manage their communication styles, language, and emotions. From talking with peers to speaking with staff, they also need to advocate for their needs in a calm and respectful way.”

For Diego, the partnership between Negotiation Works and Back on My Feet was deeply personal: he was the only person at the workshop who bridged all three organizations. Diego first joined Back on My Feet when he was a resident of Nuvaya (then called Samaritan Inns) and today remains an active member of the Back on My Feet community. He subsequently encountered Negotiation Works as a Fellow in the Georgetown Pivot Program, where he completed the full negotiation course. Inspired by the negotiation program's impact on his life, Diego chose to remain involved in Negotiation Works by serving as a Negotiation Ambassador.

“It was meaningful to see this collaboration come together because it combined physical and social wellness with business and communication skills that can be used in everyday life,” Diego observed. “Both Back on My Feet and Negotiation Works have played an important role in helping me grow in confidence and become the person I am today.”

Michaela, too, believes the participants will carry the lessons from Negotiation Works into their lives beyond the Back on My Feet program. Members “will benefit from what they learned in the workshop when they leave the program,” she predicted, “whether they are interacting with people through conversations, job interviews, or professional environments.”

Since July, Negotiation Works has expanded the reach of these single-session workshops, providing three workshops in collaboration with Father Factor, a community organization that empowers fathers and supports families through various community-based programs. The workshops were attended by Father Factor staff members, including managers, supervisors, and front-line violence interrupters.

Diego expressed optimism that Negotiation Works would continue to cultivate new partnerships that would enable more participants to benefit from its programs. “I hope these organizations continue working together to help others build confidence, develop valuable life skills, and create new opportunities.”

*Participant names have been changed to protect their privacy.