powerplays
Strategic pressure maneuvers
Powerplays are strategic maneuvers that leverage one's authority or advantage to achieve a goal, often at another's expense.
In hockey, a powerplay is the advantage gained when the opposing team has a player in the penalty box: They scored on the powerplay.
More broadly, any aggressive use of position or influence: corporate powerplays, political powerplays.
The word suggests calculated moves rather than brute force.
Methods to achieve goals
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- feintDeceptive mock attack
countermove · positioning · outmaneuver · bluff · jockeying · flanking · endgame · setup
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
oppression · subjugation · domination · control · strongarm · bullying · exploitation · manipulation
Stick-and-goal sport
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- shorthandedLacking sufficient staff
- faceoffDirect competitive confrontation
- slapshotForceful hockey strike
overtime · breakaway · goaltender · forecheck · backcheck · hat-trick · checking · empty-netter
Advocating to decision-makers
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- caucusParty selection meeting
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
legislation · gerrymandering · partisanship · arm-twisting · quid-pro-quo · leverage · hardball · stonewalling
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- mergerCorporate combination
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
feint · countermove · positioning · outmaneuver · bluff · jockeying · flanking · endgame · setup · trap
hegemony
Dominant group's control
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
intimidation · oppression · subjugation · domination · control · strongarm · bullying · exploitation · manipulation · leveraging
hockey
Stick-and-goal sport
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- shorthandedLacking sufficient staff
- faceoffDirect competitive confrontation
slapshot · overtime · breakaway · goaltender · forecheck · backcheck · hat-trick · checking · empty-netter · one-timer
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- caucusParty selection meeting
diplomacy · legislation · gerrymandering · partisanship · arm-twisting · quid-pro-quo · leverage · hardball · stonewalling · gridlock
negotiation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- mergerCorporate combination
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
boardroom · buyout · restructuring · strongarming · dealmaking
powerplayscollaboration
Joint intellectual work
cooperation · consensus-building · fair dealing · transparency · diplomacy
powerplaysmutual respect
Two-way esteem between parties
deference · cooperation · reciprocity · equality · humility