mind games
why strategists should play.
In October 2019, at the Strategy Cuveé of Strategy Austria, nine strategic skills of the future were defined. An initial insight into the results was available at the preview in November, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Only one question remained: How can one learn these skills? The answer, of course, depends heavily on personal and professional circumstances, but there's one exercise that always makes sense: playing board games! Modern, intelligently designed board games are not only incredibly fun but also impart many of the skills that strategists will need in the future. I've observed this in myself and those around me over the past few years and would like to share these experiences through some examples in this piece.
Games, like briefings, define a clear goal, a challenge we must overcome on our way there, resources we can draw upon, processes we can influence, and rules that dictate where the fun ends. To win a game or crack a briefing, one needs a core strategic competency: intuition based on experiences with people, cultures, and unpredictability. Through playing, we gather interpersonal and intercultural experiences, learn to deal with unpredictabilities, and develop a healthy culture of making mistakes.
Storytelling skills will also become increasingly important in the future. Pen & Paper games like Dungeons & Dragons are perfect for this, as they are nothing more than collaborative storytelling where one's imagination intertwines with the stories of fellow players. The "Game Master" provides a physical, cultural, and often ethical framework to the events using game rules and dice, challenging the group's creativity with improvisation and empathy. Through such games, we have the opportunity to practice storytelling not in isolation but in direct exchange, experiencing reactions in real-time.
Strategists are long-term thinkers who often feel they lose to short-term thinkers. Through games, we can recognize that multiple values coexist in the same system, and what matters is which points ultimately lead to victory. Does the best brand win? Does the most money win? Or is it really about fame and recognition? What game is actually being played here? Am I playing for myself, for my team, or for the entire company? Games can help define success more precisely and decide if this definition aligns with the rules of our work environment.
Strategists also play crucial roles in many change processes. Through gaming, we can develop the intellectual, emotional, and organizational flexibility, or "playfulness," required for significant changes. From brilliant abstract games to cooperative team games to complex strategy games, board games offer a vast spectrum of themes and experiences. I can only recommend to anyone working strategically to tap into this potential and play more.