3 Game Design Principles You Can Adopt For Business Leadership Training & Succession Planning

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Effective leadership training and succession planning are crucial for long-term business success and I believe that organisations seeking innovative ways to develop their future leaders can draw fresh and engaging approaches from game design principles.

You can create leadership development programs that are not only effective but also enjoyable and motivating by incorporating these innovative elements that have been used to make games compelling and addictive.

This article will explore how three key game design principles - Skill Trees, Cooperative Multiplayer, and Sandbox Environments - can be ingeniously applied to leadership training and succession planning.?

Heads-Up: This is a continuation of the series on Game Design Principles & how they can add value to your business.

Let’s dive right in!

1. Skill Trees

Skill trees in games are like detailed roadmaps of abilities that players can develop over time. Imagine a big tree diagram where each branch represents a different skill or ability.?

As players progress, they can choose which branches to develop, allowing them to customise their character's strengths and abilities.?

This system gives players a clear view of possible growth paths and lets them make strategic decisions about their development.

Application To Leadership Training:

In leadership development, skill trees can be used to create clear, visual representations of the various competencies and skills leaders need to develop.?

This approach allows emerging leaders to see the full spectrum of leadership skills, understand how different abilities connect, and make informed choices about their development path.

Real-Life Example:

Deloitte, one of the "Big Four" accounting organisations, has implemented a system similar to skill trees in their leadership development program. They use a framework called "Leadership Architecture," which maps out the key capabilities required at different leadership levels within the organisation.

This framework includes four main "branches" of leadership skills: Business Chemistry, Talent, Performance, and Influence. Each branch then has sub-branches of more specific skills. For example, under "Influence," you might find skills like "Strategic Communication" or "Negotiation."

Emerging leaders at Deloitte can visualise their current skills and the areas they need to develop to progress to higher leadership roles. They can then choose training programs, mentorship opportunities, or assignments that help them "level up" in specific skill areas.

Implementation Tips:

- Create a comprehensive map of leadership skills relevant to your organisation.

- Provide clear descriptions of each skill and its importance.

- Offer various ways for employees to develop each skill (e.g., training courses, mentoring, project assignments).

- Allow for some flexibility in development paths to cater to individual strengths and interests.

Scripture Reference: Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little - Isaiah 28:9-10.

2. Cooperative Multiplayer

Cooperative multiplayer in games is where players work together to achieve common goals, rather than competing against each other.?

Each player might have different roles or abilities that complement each other, and success depends on effective teamwork and communication.?

This principle encourages collaboration, strategic thinking, and the development of social skills.

Application To Leadership Training:

In leadership development, cooperative multiplayer principles can be applied to create team-based learning experiences. This approach helps emerging leaders practice collaboration, delegation, and team management skills in a safe, controlled environment.

Real-Life Example:

General Electric (GE) has incorporated cooperative multiplayer principles into its leadership development program through its "Leadership Innovation and Growth" (LIG) sessions. These multi-day events bring together leaders from various parts of the company to work on real business challenges.

In these sessions, participants are divided into teams, with each member bringing different expertise and perspective.?

They are then presented with complex business scenarios or challenges that GE is actually facing. The teams must work together to analyse the situation, develop strategies, and present solutions to senior executives.

This approach mimics the cooperative nature of multiplayer games, where each "player" (participant) has a unique role and contribution. It also provides a safe space for emerging leaders to practice teamwork, strategic thinking, and presentation skills.

Implementation Tips:

- Design challenges that require diverse skills and perspectives to solve.

- Rotate roles within teams to allow participants to experience different leadership aspects.

- Provide opportunities for teams to compete in a friendly manner, presenting their solutions to judges or peers.

- Incorporate reflection sessions where teams can discuss their collaboration process and learnings.

Scripture Reference: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

3. Sandbox Environments

Sandbox environments in games are open-world settings where players have a great deal of freedom to explore, experiment, and create. Instead of following a strict, linear path, players can choose their own adventures and approaches. This principle encourages creativity, problem-solving, and self-directed learning.

Application To Leadership Training:

In leadership development, sandbox environments can be created to allow emerging leaders to experiment with different leadership styles and decision-making in a low-risk setting. This approach helps develop adaptability, creative problem-solving, and confidence in leadership abilities.

Real-Life Example:

Walmart has incorporated sandbox-style learning into its leadership development through its Walmart Academy program. This program includes a significant component of virtual reality (VR) training, which creates a sandbox-like environment for learning and practice.

In these VR simulations, emerging leaders can experience a variety of scenarios they might encounter in their roles, from managing a busy sales floor during a holiday rush to handling a difficult customer service situation.?

The VR environment allows them to make decisions and see the consequences in real-time, without real-world repercussions.

This sandbox approach allows Walmart's future leaders to experiment with different leadership approaches, make mistakes, and learn from them in a safe, controlled environment.

?It also allows for repetition and practice of challenging scenarios, helping to build confidence and competence.

Implementation Tips:

- Create simulations or role-playing exercises that mimic real-world leadership challenges.

- Provide a variety of scenarios to explore different aspects of leadership.

- Allow for multiple "correct" approaches to encourage creative problem-solving.

- Include debriefing sessions to reflect on decisions made and their outcomes.

Scripture Reference: And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward - Genesis 13:14.

Embracing these ideas will transform your leadership training programs from a theoretical exercise into an exciting, immersive journey of growth and discovery. This not only makes the process more enjoyable for emerging leaders but also more effective in developing the skills and mindsets needed for success in today's complex business world.

The examples from Deloitte, General Electric, and Walmart demonstrate that these principles can be successfully implemented in real-world corporate settings, leading to more comprehensive skill development, better teamwork and collaboration, and more confident and adaptable leaders.

You will have to take a critical look at your organisation's specific needs and culture, and then tailor the training approaches to fit. Regular feedback and iteration will be key to refining and improving your leadership development program over time.

Jesus Christ Is The Custodian Of Wisdom

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all wisdom and he is the custodian of that business success strategy which you seek.

Ask him for help today! Invite him to be the Lord of your business and life, and ask him to lead and guide your strategy, plans and ideas.

Let's pray together concerning your business and career. You can join our Telegram prayer group by clicking the link below ??

https://t.me/DivineOpenDoors

Thank you for taking out time to read this article, and I wish you well in your business endeavour.

Your Friend,

Apostle Chika Ebuzor