A new report released last week details how massively multiplayer online role-playing games are shaping the next generation of corporate leaders. The study looks at how players are learning to organize, collaborate, take risks as well as how online environments can facilitate the development of leadership qualities. There are some good takeaways from the report but keep in mind that the report was released by a software company whose software is inspired from multiplayer games.
Takeaways:
- players use of sophisticated communications channels
- delegation of leadership responsibilities
- formulating strategies quickly, with imperfect data, and putting strategy into motion without fear of consequences
- a basic lesson learned according to the report involves breaking major operations into smaller projects and assigning leadership for those projects based on expertise.
- allows for more employees to try their hand at leadership
- allows for more temporary roles that can frequently shift based on who is performing
- employees that are simultaneously leading in one project and following in another will develop a more complete understanding of effective leadership
- breaking projects up into bite-size pieces makes failure more palatable, and more affordable.
Here are two versions of the research report.
