Research has told me that you can't always get what you want. However, reliable sources have told me that if you occasionally provide effort, you get what you need.

Assume good intentions.

jonmc: one thing that I've always found troubling in this analysis is the lack of clarity in defining what one "wants" vs. what one "needs". Any insight?

Stay calm and cool and pleasant. Use evidence and make your case rationally. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed. Don't pussyfoot. State what you'd like ideally, and begin the negotiations there. Good luck!

I believe that jonmc was inspired by these philosophers.

I think you should position your requests in the form of how they'll benefit the company. If they really benefit you (e.g., you want an office with a door, not just a cube), you can still do this. "I'd like an office with a door because it makes it easy for me to interact with people when my door is open, but when I have to conduct phone interviews or other business I can close the door. A cube is exactly the opposite -- blocks my sight lines, but not the noise. I'd be able to complete work more quickly if I could concentrate more like this."

Don't say "This would be more fair to me because I've been here for six years" or anything like that. It's not a matter of fairness. (Sorry!) Their rules might be very fair indeed, but for certain reasons they can't discuss them with you. (Medical or other personal stuff with other employees, etc.)

Also, figure out what might work as a compromise. Don't get grumpy if you don't get what you ask for; figure out if there's some middle ground you can do, or the possibility to do something in a few months, or if you can get a few parts of the whole thing, or if you can do it a certain number of days per week/month.

And if all of that fails, maybe they'd be willing to negotiate with you on some other stuff that could make your job easier or more comfortable.

jonmc: one thing that I've always found troubling in this analysis is the lack of clarity in defining what one "wants" vs. what one "needs". Any insight?

No. Just remove thyself from my cirrocumulus.

I'll be negotiating for a few things at my job in the coming week

So is this a scheduled meeting or something you plan to initiate that your employer doesn't know about yet?

The latter scenario would be way more difficult, I think.

I've already scheduled a meeting for early next week, and The Boss already has a sense of some of what I want to discuss.

Thanks for the reminders to think positive, avoid acting embarrassed etc. I appreciate the ideas!

(And Jon, even even the most feral equine could not remove me from this cloud!)