Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Board Game Are Management Tools


Don't tell me they can't. They can!

Board games Can help train managers. They Can help foster skills for better management decision making.

I am not alone in this bizarre type of thinking.

In an interesting, although somewhat dated, article by Ari Manor, board games are highlighted as versatile training tools. Board games, teach teamwork, decisions under pressure and logic among other skills.

Manor, a CEO himself, says that "Quite a few senior managers say that the skills and habits they acquired in playing games give them an extra edge in business and in management. This includes handling fast changes, taking calculated risks, self-discipline, improved memory, "coolness" under pressure, and determination to carry-through the right strategy - even if it leads to short-term loss."


He suggests several games for developing management skills in the article, which you can find here, none of which I have played, unfortunately, but I am certain that another could be added to the list: Forbidden Island by Matt Leacock.






What better way to learn '"coolness" under pressure' than when the island you traverse with your team mates begins sinking under your feet?!

AND SO, I undertook my own quest to find Forbidden Island's nugget of training treasure.

Details on Thursday!

2 comments:

  1. you mean I've got to wait until thursday??? :)

    I've found boardgames great for building team dynamics, strangely enough 'Werewolf' has become very popular on the church staff where I work. I wonder if there is something about pretending to sow mistrust amongst a team that actually causes a team to bond over the experience :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thursday wasn't too long to wait was it? ;)

    I've heard of Werewolf being popular a popular business office community game as well. I think in general there is something to be said for participating in an imaginative shared experience that helps people bond.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting at Pinebars: Applying Board Game Mechanics!