Power Plays and Tricky Tactics
Negotiating with Difficult People
Simulation Overview
Negotiation is taught through practice: you learn by doing. While the principles of negotiation are fairly straightforward, the most challenging part of learning to be a great negotiator is applying those principles in practice. There is one type of negotiation where it is especially difficult to get practice: dealing with difficult negotiators.
The Power Plays & Tricky Tactics Negotiation Simulation is a hands-on experience designed to help learners build practical negotiation skills by engaging with challenging real-world scenarios. The simulation presents a series negotiation scenes in which an actor uses a specific “power play” or “tricky tactic,” placing the learner in a difficult position .
Learners watch each negotiation unfold, record their own video response as the counterpart, submit an offer, and then receive expert insights on how to effectively handle the tactic displayed . They then complete a guided self-assessment and, if enabled, provide peer feedback for additional reflection and comparison. This cycle reinforces core negotiation principles, increases awareness of manipulative tactics, and builds the skill and confidence needed to respond effectively under pressure.
Any subset of the nine negotiation scenarios can be assigned. Best responses on the leaderboard can be viewed together for group discussion. The simulation can be played synchronously or asynchronously.
Grounded in experiential learning and best practices in negotiation pedagogy, the simulation helps learners translate conceptual knowledge into practical action—strengthening their ability to remain composed, think critically, and respond strategically in challenging interactions.
Players
Multiplayer
Single Player
Languages
English
Simulation Time
Total Time: 1-3.5 hours
Intro 15 minutes, Gameplay 15 - 135 minutes, Debrief 30 - 60 minutes
Accessibility
WCAG 2.0 Compliance
Price
$165 per person
Simulation Categories
The Story
You’re the co-founder of a start-up company, sitting across the table when the negotiation with your partner suddenly takes a turn—a surprising demand, an emotional outburst, a veiled threat, or a hardball move you didn’t expect. How do you stay grounded? What’s the best way to respond without escalating the situation or losing value?
Each scenario in this simulation places learners in the middle of a high-pressure negotiation moment. You watch the exchange unfold, record your own response, and then compare your approach to expert advice. As the scenarios progress, the tactics become more complex and subtle, teaching learners how to navigate difficult counterparts with clarity, confidence, and professionalism.
In a world where negotiations rarely go as planned, this simulation offers a safe, structured space to practice the art of staying effective—even when the other side doesn’t play fair.
Core Competencies
Negotiation and Tradeoffs
Clear Communication
Conflict Resolution
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Resilience
Stakeholder Management
Adaptability
Decision Making Under Pressure
Learning Objectives
Resources to Power Your Simulation
Each simulation comes with a Teaching Guidebook for the facilitator along with 1:1 facilitator training and free trials.
Available with this simulation
Facilitation Guide
Free Trial & Demo
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