Embracing the Natural Tension of Negotiation - Saad Saad

In this episode of The Emblazers: B2B Leaders Igniting Revenue, Amanda and Tim are joined by Saad Saad, negotiation consultant, author, and educator, to break down the myths, science, and modern-day mindset behind successful sales negotiations.

Drawing from his book In The Lead, Saad explains why every sales conversation is a negotiation—and why it’s time to stop thinking of negotiation as something that happens only at the end of the deal. He reveals how tension can be a tool, not a threat, and shares a repeatable framework that sellers can use to build confidence, defend value, and close more deals faster.

This episode is full of practical advice, fresh research, and powerful reframes for revenue leaders and sellers alike.

Tune in to learn:

• Why negotiation isn’t a moment—it’s a mindset
• How to use healthy tension to unlock creativity and stronger outcomes
• The three rules of effective concessions—and what most reps get wrong
• Why AI can support negotiation prep, but human conversations win deals
• How to reframe negotiation as an outcome-based conversation from day one

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Saad Saad, Amanda, and Tim
• Get his book In The Lead
• Subscribe to The Emblazers for more expert-driven insights
• Learn about membership in the Emblaze revenue community by Corporate Visions
• Senior B2B revenue executives are invited to join us at Emblaze Executive Retreat, Oct 7-9, in Savannah, GA

Learn About Saad Saad

Saad Saad is a negotiation consultant, author, and educator who helps sales professionals close deals faster, secure better margins, and win more business using science-backed strategies. He is the author of In the Lead, a practical guide to mastering sales negotiations, and has taught negotiation courses at Columbia University, the City University of New York, and Pace University. Through workshops and tailored coaching, Saad empowers sales teams to achieve measurable results. Learn more about his work at stepinthelead.com.

 

Learn about Amanda DeVlugt

A veteran of global learning and development, Amanda DeVlugt spent 15 years at Hilton crafting leadership programs and revenue growth strategies that transformed operations across international brands. Her expertise in delivering impactful training has reached over 5,000 professionals through 400+ workshops, while her innovative approach to learning has produced more than 200 educational videos on leadership, engagement, and technical processes. As a trusted advisor to top management companies and a skilled facilitator of agile methodologies, Amanda combines her passion for continuous improvement with a talent for creating transformative learning experiences that drive organizational excellence. Amanda is Director of Member Experience and Success at Emblaze, the revenue leaders’ community powered by Corporate Visions.

 

Learn about Tim Riesterer

As Chief Strategy Officer at Corporate Visions and Chief Research Officer at Emblaze revenue leaders’ community, Tim Riesterer is a pioneering force in developing customer conversations that break through the status quo and drive measurable business results. His innovative approach helps companies craft differentiated messages and deploy them through powerful self-service and sales-directed tools that consistently outperform traditional content strategies. A recognized expert in value creation and capture, Tim enables organizations to transform their customer conversations through proven methodologies that elevate their market position and drive sustainable growth.

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