Strategic choices and decision in a game of Settlers of Catan. An intriguing way to test your ... [+]
Many of us have enjoyed board games at some point, whether classic titles like Monopoly and Risk or more intricate games such as Settlers of Catan, Dominion or Ticket to Ride.
The latter group, often referred to as Eurogames or German-style games, emphasizes indirect player interaction and generally avoids player elimination. You have to appreciate that! After all, who hasn’t experienced the frustration of losing all their money in Monopoly and then watching helplessly as others continue to compete?
Eurogames represent a vibrant industry valued at approximately USD 3.74 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. This growth continues despite the rising popularity of video games and online gaming.
Game Board To Board Room: Leadership Lessons
As a passionate Eurogamer, occasional game designer and management consultant, I’ve noticed intriguing parallels between Eurogames and effective leadership. While all board games offer valuable insights into leadership and life, the unique characteristics of Eurogames resonate particularly well with leadership strategy, decision-making and effectiveness.
Here are three key insights worth exploring, whether you’re an avid player, a casual observer or simply curious.
1. Cultivate An Abundance Mindset
In games like Settlers of Catan or 7 Wonders, players must strategically acquire and manage resources to achieve their objectives. In the game 7 Wonders, players gather resources such as wood, clay, silk and glass to construct various buildings, including libraries and viaducts, as the game progresses.
The effectiveness of resource accumulation directly influences a player's success in subsequent rounds, as a well-planned stockpile enables the construction of more powerful structures and abilities.
It’s easy to lose hope when the right resources don’t come your way or when luck seems to evade you. This frustration may lead you to make hasty decisions, abandon your goals or prioritize short-term gains at the expense of long-term success.
But Eurogames emphasize a long-term perspective, where victory is determined only at the end of the game when victory points are tallied. This encourages players to adopt a strategic approach, focusing on building sustainable advantages rather than seeking immediate rewards.
In today's environment, where leaders are expected to accomplish more with less, the ability to value and manage available resources is critical. While it may be tempting for leaders to exhaust resources quickly, a more strategic approach involves maximizing impact through careful planning.
Leadership extends beyond merely accumulating resources—though that can offer a sense of security. It fundamentally involves taking calculated risks and deploying resources strategically for long-term success. Embracing an abundance mindset, rather than a scarcity mindset, is crucial for sustained victory. For evidence, a study from Princeton University highlights that excessive worry about basic needs can impair cognitive function, equivalent to a loss of 13 IQ points or the effects of a sleepless night.
Economist Sendhil Mullainathan elaborates on this concept in his book, Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much. He posits that when individuals become overly fixated on what they lack, their cognitive abilities become severely limited. This tunnel vision prevents them from recognizing their true needs and how to fulfill them, hindering problem-solving skills, critical thinking and team engagement—especially in critical moments.
In contrast, leaders who foster an abundance mindset—whether related to physical or emotional resources—excel at orchestrating and effectively utilizing those resources. Just as players in Catan must strategically optimize their use of sheep and cotton for long-term success, leaders must leverage technology and talent in the real world to drive better outcomes.
By maintaining an abundance mindset, even in the face of scarcity, they are not just responding to immediate challenges; they are actively building for the future.
2. Harness Strategic Unity
In cooperative games like Mysterium and Forbidden Island, players must select the most effective actions each turn, considering the current board state and the strategies of their teammates. Each player possesses unique abilities that, when combined strategically, can effectively respond to the game’s challenges. This collaborative approach is the essence of cooperative gameplay in Eurogames.
While Eurogames often lack direct confrontations, players still need to consider how their actions impact others, fostering strategic thinking and adaptability.
Similarly, in leadership, understanding the dynamics of your environment is crucial. As businesses become increasingly interdependent, leaders must make decisions that account for a broader range of stakeholders—including employees, customers, partners and suppliers. Making decisions in isolation is no longer viable; leaders must recognize the interdependencies shaping their organizations.
The supply chain crises during COVID-19 underscored the necessity for deeper collaboration across supply chains, encompassing suppliers, partners and even competitors. It’s no coincidence that Pandemic, a cooperative game, reflects the importance of teamwork and collaboration in overcoming a world-ending event.
Similar to cooperative board games, a successful leadership strategy requires a holistic perspective and an understanding of interconnectedness. And impulsive, siloed decisions made for quick wins can lead to significant long-term setbacks.
3. Build Systems Of Success
Games like Stone Age and Tzolk’in feature mechanics such as engine building and worker placement, where players develop a series of actions and effects that synergize to enhance their strategy. When established and operational, these systems can significantly enhance a player's strategic possibilities and increase their chances of winning the game.
In engine building, players amass resources that help them acquire even more resources, while in worker placement, players allocate their "worker" pieces to perform specific actions, including acquiring resources. As the game progresses, players must adapt their systems in response to changing circumstances and the actions of others.
In the captivating game Tzol’kin, inspired by the magnificent Mayan civilization, the challenge extends beyond merely placing workers. As the game unfolds, players must navigate a dynamic environment where the position of their workers progresses through a Mayan calendar, requiring them to consider not only resources and workforce but also the crucial element of time. This intricate interplay adds a layer of strategy that keeps players engaged and demands careful planning at every turn.
This mechanics aptly mirrors effective leadership—maximizing resources, talent and time. In worker placement games, players must allocate limited resources across various tasks to achieve their goals. Similarly, leaders must manage their team’s resources—time, talent and budget—by prioritizing initiatives that align with strategic objectives.
Leaders must prioritize building systems that replicate success. While creating processes that yield short-term rewards may seem straightforward, today’s leaders are challenged to achieve consistent, long-term success.
A successful system involves making investments—such as in new technology or talent—not just for immediate returns but with a vision for sustained growth. Just as players strategically place their workers in Eurogames to maximize resources, leaders must purposefully position their talent in front of the most significant opportunities.
Game On: Applying Eurogame-Inspired Leadership Strategies
Leaders can glean valuable insights from board games, particularly Eurogames, which emphasize strategy and resource management. While it’s essential to recognize that real life is not a game, and that simulations cannot fully replicate lived experiences, applying principles from these games can be beneficial. For instance, the ability to think several moves ahead can enhance a leader's capacity to respond to disruptions and optimize resources and workflows effectively.
Moreover, the lessons learned from board games can inform better talent management and foster a culture of collaboration. This is especially relevant in today’s rapidly changing work environment, marked by a continuous stream of disruptions that mirror the complexities of a Eurogame— and that of the modern business landscape.
Ultimately, just as in Eurogames, it’s how you navigate these challenges that will determine your success.
