Survival Island: An Experiential Learning Game to Teach Negotiations

Negotiation is a critical managerial skill, yet traditional teaching methods often fail to capture the complexity of power dynamics in real-world contexts. This session introduces Survival Island: Power in Negotiation, an experiential learning activity designed to immerse participants in a simulated environment where resource scarcity, information asymmetry, and shifting alliances influence outcomes. Grounded in experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1984) and negotiation frameworks (Fisher, Ury, & Patton, 2011), the activity enables participants to explore how different sources of power, resource, information, legitimacy, expertise, shape negotiation strategies and outcomes. Through role-play, coalition-building, and reflective debriefing, learners practice adaptive thinking, ethical decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving. The session will demonstrate how this activity has been implemented with large undergraduate cohorts and provide strategies for adapting it to graduate courses and professional development workshops. Participants will engage in a condensed version of the exercise and discuss its application in diverse teaching contexts. This interactive approach aligns with IMOBTS goals by fostering theory-driven, experiential learning that enhances negotiation competence and leadership skills.