What Corporate Skills Can D&D Teach?

Dungeons and Dragons, aka D&D, is a tabletop role-playing game that has been around for over 45 years. The game has been popular among gamers and geeks alike. In recent years the hobby has seen something of a renaissance, with popular shows like Stranger Things and Critical Role leading a surge of interest across the cultural zeitgeist.

Anyone who has played TTRPG’s already knows that the benefits they bring go beyond simple enjoyment. Studies have shown that they can have massive positive effects on mental health, as well as foster positive social bonds in groups. But little has been said about the benefits these ancillary outcomes can have in a professional setting. Being that that’s exactly what we do here at Legendary Teambuilding, we thought we might as well be the ones to start singing the games praises in board rooms the world over. As such in this article, we will explore the different corporate skills that can be learned through playing D&D.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

In an ideal world, we would never face hardship, every plan would go off without a hitch and every outcome would be exactly as we desired. The water cooler would never break and no-one would use the communal microwave to heat up fish. But alas, we do not live in an ideal world, we face challenges every day, and our ability to thrive in any market is dependent on how we face them.

DnD is a game that has critical thinking and problem-solving skills in it’s DNA. GM’s (game masters) present the players with new and unusual scenarios, situations to resolve in order to progress.  Players are required to think on their feet and make decisions quickly, often with limited information. Anyone who has held a job will know how well this translates to the corporate world, where employees are often faced with unexpected challenges and must come up with creative solutions to solve them. Crucially, exercising these practices in a fun, safe environment fosters confidence in ones ability to make quick, effective decisions.

Teamwork and Communication

D&D is, at it’s core, a collaborative game that requires players to work together to achieve a common goal. Each player controls a character with explicit strengths and weaknesses. Their strengths allow them to contribute to the groups success, but they must rely on the group to cover for their weaknesses if they are to succeed. 

This is a valuable lesson for corporate professionals who often work in teams to complete projects. Learning how to recognise your own strengths and those of your teammates, and learning how to leverage those skills effectively is the core lesson of TTRPG’s. Through engaging with these games, employees can learn how to communicate effectively with their team members, delegate tasks, and work towards a common goal. This level of collaboration is key to success for any workforce, be it in going for that next big tender, or slaying dragons.

Leadership and Decision Making

In D&D, players take on different roles and responsibilities within the game. You might be playing with your Boss, but your boss is playing a character just like you are, and in many situations that character might not be as effective as yours can be. Players will need to step up, take control of a situation and demonstrate leadership. In doing so they may develop empathy for those already in leadership roles, and confidence in their ability to make good decisions for the group. 

The benefits of this in a corporate environment are obvious. A team that is able to take the initiative and has the confidence to take decisive actions in times of crisis is a team that is more resilient, and more likely to succeed.

Creativity and Innovation

D&D is a game that encourages creativity and innovation. Players are already in an unusual situation, off on some fantastical adventure, engaging with their imaginations and on the lookout for the possibilities this new environment presents. This change of scenery invites the use of the imagination, and exercising that “creative muscle” can have massive benefits outside the game.

Players who learn to think outside the box may find themselves better able to spot or imagine disruptive or innovative solutions to existing problems. Teams with such individuals can benefit from their unique insight and perhaps make the most of unseen opportunities. Or to put it another way, creativity will always put you one step ahead of the competition.

Adaptability and Flexibility

As much as we would love everything to go to plan, sometimes the dice just won’t land in your favour. D&D players know this better than most. They know that sometimes things just go wrong, and what matters is how you respond in times of crisis. 

In real life, when a crisis comes, it never helps to become paralysed by indecision. Stalling can often just make the matter worse. But developing the confidence to make a call in the moment is no easy thing, improvisation is a skill that must be learned and developed.

D&D is a game that is constantly changing and evolving. Players must be adaptable and flexible in order to succeed. Practising these skills in a safe, low stakes environment builds confidence and allows individuals to take the risks required to make snap judgements in real life. This is a valuable lesson for corporate professionals who often face unexpected challenges and must be able to adapt to changing circumstances. 

Conclusion

D&D, and other TTRPG’s demonstrably can teach valuable skills to corporate professionals. From critical thinking and problem-solving to teamwork and communication, the lessons learned through playing D&D can be applied to the corporate world. If you’re interested in learning more about how D&D can benefit your team, contact Legendary Teambuilding.