RPG Management Science

Role-playing games (RPG) are “resource-limited problem solving games”, where the players assume the role of other characters and solve (usually fantastic) problems. While RPG are often associated with Dungeons & Dragons and the likes, beside the combat intensive part of it, they really involve social, ethical and moral dilemmas that shape the characters’ personality as well as their social surrounding. Just like real life.

And like real businesses. Often managers deal with social, ethical and moral dilemmas without any prior training or practicing. These are usually trying times and can greatly influence the business as well as the manager herself. Why not use RPG as a source of (fun) training for managers?

I do not mean a “simulated” situation, but actually creating a (preferably hidden) one-to-one connection between a real-life business scenario and a fantastic one, involving wizards (=engineers), clerics (=other religions), elves and dwarves (=minorities) and dragons (=VCs). This mapping can be specific for a unique business or more general for managerial conflicts and problems that are common to many businesses. Managers can then play this game and either be tested on their abilities or trained over and over in different scenarios, guided by the Dungeon Master (=coach, CEO).

While not all managers (probably a small minority, to be truthful) are inclined to fantasy games, similar situations can be accustomed to other fictional scenarios, e.g. Science-fiction, historic, other-geography, such that the people playing the game will feel comfortable.

Another unique aspect to this suggestion is to have the business group, e.g. team, department, play together and either assume their correct roles, i.e. manager=leader, engineer=wizard, etc. or even better, switch roles and thus better understand the dilemmas and problems each other have in their own unique role. The psychological disconnection between the real life and the RPG can help people loosen-up and have a common experience that is related to their work, but only in a hidden way. In future business situations, a team member can then say: “I’m off to battle the Red Dragon”, and the rest of the team will wish her good luck with the VC, creating a unique and a more playful atmosphere in the business world.

Go on, businessmen, have some fun!