concedevo

Concedevo is a term used in some negotiation and rhetoric discussions to describe a disciplined approach to making concessions. It characterizes a sequence of deliberate, staged concessions designed to expand the bargaining space while maintaining core objectives. Proponents argue concedevo helps manage credibility and signaling by controlling what is given away and when, thus reducing the risk of over-concession early in a negotiation. The practice typically involves mapping priorities, defining non-negotiables, and structuring offers into tiers, with concessions released in accordance with counterparty moves or time constraints.

Etymology and origins: The term appears to derive from the English verb concede and a suffix used in neologisms to denote a process or practice; it emerged in negotiation-themed literature in the late 2010s and has since appeared in various discussion forums and theoretical papers, though it remains relatively uncommon.

Concept and practice: It is not a universal model but a framework for thinking about concession dynamics. The core idea is to align concessions with a preplanned strategy, to signal willingness to cooperate while preserving leverage. Techniques include establishing non-negotiables, creating concession ladders or tiers, tying concessions to specific counteroffers, and using time pressure to trigger next steps.

Applications: In business negotiations, diplomacy, and public discourse, concedevo can guide how parties reveal flexibility, respond to pressure, and steer outcomes toward integrative agreements rather than stalemates.

Criticisms: Critics warn that reliance on preplanned concessions may seem artificial or manipulative if misused, potentially undermining trust or backfiring if the counterpart identifies the strategy.

See also: Concession, Negotiation theory, Signaling, Incrementalism.