Nov. 17, 2025

Navigating Difficult Negotiations: Insights from Professor Stacey Lee on Authentic Conversations and Life Lessons in Law

Navigating Difficult Negotiations: Insights from Professor Stacey Lee on Authentic Conversations and Life Lessons in Law

Have you ever wondered how the art of negotiation can transform your career and personal life? Join host Jeff Cluff on the latest episode of the Four Fs Podcast, where he engages in an authentic conversation with Professor Stacey Lee, a renowned law and ethics expert from Johns Hopkins University. Together, they unpack the psychological intricacies of negotiation, revealing how preparation and empathy can serve as your greatest strategic advantages in both business and personal realms.


Stacey’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From her aspirations of becoming a senator to her extensive experience as a securities litigator and corporate counsel, she highlights the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Her transition into academia has allowed her to share invaluable insights on negotiation, arbitration, and litigation, emphasizing how these elements are interconnected in the pursuit of successful outcomes. The Four Fs Podcast dives deep into the challenges of negotiating with difficult individuals, offering listeners practical strategies for overcoming failure and fostering better relationships through direct communication.


One of the key takeaways from this episode is Stacey's unique healthcare-specific negotiation framework, designed to empower professionals in high-stakes environments. This framework is not just for lawyers or corporate leaders; it’s a vital tool for anyone looking to make impactful decisions in their career. As listeners, we are encouraged to adopt a mindset of empathy and active listening, which is essential for understanding the perspectives of others and ultimately achieving success in negotiations.


Throughout the conversation, Stacey shares personal stories that illuminate the importance of discipline and freedom in our professional lives. Her insights into leadership and social impact resonate deeply, making this episode a treasure trove of business insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and established leaders alike. By applying the lessons learned in this episode, you can enhance your personal development and career growth, regardless of your industry.


As the episode wraps up, Jeff and Stacey provide actionable tips for improving your negotiation skills in everyday situations. Whether you’re negotiating a salary, navigating a challenging conversation, or seeking to foster collaboration in your team, the skills discussed in this episode are universally applicable. Tune in to the Four Fs Podcast for an enlightening conversation that promises to equip you with the tools for success, empowering you to take charge of your negotiations and transform your career path.


More info here: https://www.fourfspodcast.com/guests/stacey-b-lee-jd/

Leave a voicemail : https://www.fourfspodcast.com/voicemail/

Check out the book : https://a.co/d/eKLtTuq

Subscribe to Stacey’s Substack: https://staceyblee.substack.com/subscribe

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-b-lee/


Chapters:

(00:00:15) - Introduction to Professor Stacey Lee

(00:01:30) - Stacey's Journey: From Lawmaker Aspirations to Legal Practice

(00:02:26) - The Transition from Law to Academia

(00:04:28) - Negotiation vs. Litigation: The Importance of Direct Communication

(00:05:43) - Building Relationships Through Negotiation

(00:11:40) - Tackling Difficult Negotiations and Strategies

(00:14:20) - Emotional Intelligence in Negotiations

(00:19:40) - Practical Tips for Everyday Negotiations

(00:37:11) - Learning from Failures and Big Decisions

(00:48:23) - Conclusion: The Power of Preparation in Negotiation



If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love this episode: The Diary of a CEO (Steven Bartlett), The Shawn Ryan Show, The Lex Fridman Podcast, Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman, How I Built This with Guy Raz, The Mel Robbins Podcast, Modern Wisdom With Chris Williamson, The Tim Ferriss Show.


#authenticconversations, #overcomingfailure, #leadershipinsights #careerdevelopment


Stacey B. Lee, JD Profile Photo

Professor | Keynote Speaker | Routledge Author | Executive Educator

Stacey Lee is a Johns Hopkins professor, healthcare law expert, and an award-winning author (Silver Award, Nonfiction Authors Association) who helps doctors, nurses, and healthcare leaders navigate their toughest conversations. A Johns Hopkins professor, former healthcare litigator, and Fulbright Specialist, she created the HEAR™ Framework to resolve conflict, build trust, and drive change. Through her company, Praxis Pacisci, she has trained over 2,000 professionals at more than 125 institutions. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Bloomberg Law, and The Washington Post, and her TEDx talk is used in medical schools nationwide.

Her book, Transforming Healthcare Through Negotiation (Routledge, 2025), turns HEAR™ into sayable scripts, 14–30-day pilots, and simple metrics clinicians and administrators can use on shift. Lee teaches healthcare law, business law, and negotiation at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Find Stacey's books at the links directly below or use the URLs here:

Transforming Healthcare Through Negotiation is the complete framework — the research, theory, and comprehensive approach for leaders and providers navigating complex systems. 👉 Order here: https://a.co/d/eKLtTuq

The Field Guide is what you grab on Monday morning before that difficult negotiation — with templates, scripts, and exercises ready to use. 👉 Order here https://a.co/d/971esH0

Subscribe to Stacey’s Substack: https://staceyblee.substack.com/subscribe

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedi…