Lessons for a father - The Game That Taught Me Leadership

Image Courtesy: Supercell

What if I said that everything I need to learn about leadership is part of this new game that my entire team has picked up? Sounds unbelievable? Before I started looking at the game in a new light, it was not something I was ready to consider or accept either. Then the game took over.

A few weeks ago a bunch of us started playing the Clash Of Clans ^®. According to the developers of the game, it is an "epic combat strategy game". I think it is more, much more. I think it is a great tool that can serve as a great lesson in goal setting, resource utilization and team building to name a few.

Question: How is it that a mobile game has an ability to teach us about leadership and managing teams and expectations?

Answer: Here is what I have learned so far:

• Never EVER stop getting better - Whether it is updating the offense and defense units in the game or your own self - keep updating!
• Updating will come at a cost - Defensive units might not be ready for an immediate need but the game is not played for short term gains. Studying and learning for ourselves might not give us an immediate new talent either. Stay with it though. Long term gains will follow.
• Failure is only an opportunity to get better - a 12 hour or a 16 hour shield in the game gives us a respite from another attack. It is also an indicator that we can get better. That is not so different from looking at a bad day at work as life's indicator to keep evolving.
• Learn from people that are better  - The game is being played by people from around the world. There are many that might have been playing it for much longer, and in a far better way, than you are. Observe their behavior. Learn from them. Again, keep getting better.
• Use your resources wisely - Keep asking yourself, both in the game and out of it, what is the most important thing I should be doing right now? Then, go and do it.
• Work will always take longer than you hope - Multi-day updates? Is this a joke? No it is not. All we can hope for is for work to take a short amount of time. It will, however, take the amount of time that it takes. Patience can be a learned art. Use your resources wisely.
• Opportunities will present themselves - Always be ready to make a decision based on context. May be gathering gems is more important than updating a building. Being aware and adapting to changing demands is wise both in the game and out of it.
• Work as a team - Make/ join a clan. Learn from each other. Ask questions. Share your resources. Fight as one. Teamwork, in the game, at work, at home and in just about anything we do, is a massive asset. Utilize it. 

Is it just a mobile game? May be. If, however, we are open to learning and getting inspiration from it, it might just turn out to be full of lessons in continuous growth, teamwork and leadership.

Play well and get 'em goblins!!!