Eurogames' Strategies: Insights for Leaders on Tactical Execution and Judgement Calls
Many of us have dabbled in board games at some point, whether it's the classic titles like Monopoly and Risk, or more complex games like Settlers of Catan, Dominion, or Ticket to Ride. The latter category, often referred to as Eurogames or German-style games, emphasizes indirect player interaction and generally avoids player elimination. It's hard to argue against that, especially after experiencing the agony of watching your bank account dwindle in Monopoly and then seeing others continue their game unscathed.
Eurogames represent a flourishing industry worth approximately USD 3.74 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. This growth persists despite the growing popularity of video games and online gaming.
Game Board to Board Room: Leadership Lessons
As a devoted Eurogamer, occasional game designer, and management consultant, I've noticed intriguing parallels between Eurogames and effective leadership. While all board games supply valuable insights into leadership and life, Eurogames resonate particularly well with leadership strategies, decision-making, and effectiveness.
Here are three crucial insights to explore:
1. Foster a Mindset of Plenty
In games like Settlers of Catan and 7 Wonders, players are tasked with strategically amassing and allocating resources to achieve their objectives, instilling a deep understanding of resource scarcity. For example, in 7 Wonders, players gather resources like wood, clay, silk, and glass to construct structures such as libraries and viaducts as the game progresses. Effective resource allocation directly influences a player's success in subsequent rounds, as an efficiently planned stockpile enables the construction of stronger structures and abilities.
It's easy to despair when the necessary resources are unavailable or luck seems to be on someone else's side. This disappointment could prompt hasty decisions, abandoned goals, or prioritization of short-term gains over long-term success. However, Eurogames encourage a long-term perspective, as victory is determined only at the game's conclusion, when victory points are tallied. This encourages players to adopt a strategic approach, focusing on developing sustainable advantages rather than seeking immediate rewards.
In today's fast-paced world, where leaders are expected to achieve more with less, the ability to leverage and manage available resources strategically is essential. While it may be tempting for leaders to exhaust resources swiftly, a more thoughtful approach involves maximizing impact through strategic planning.
Leadership transcends the mere acquisition of resources—though it can provide a sense of security. At its core, it involves taking calculated risks and deploying resources strategically for long-term success. Adopting a mindset of abundance, as opposed to a mindset of scarcity, is integral to sustained victory. A study conducted by Princeton University reveals that excessive concern over basic needs can impair cognitive function, equivalent to a loss of 13 IQ points or the effects of a sleepless night.
Economist Sendhil Mullainathan further explains this concept in his book, Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much. He suggests that when people become excessively fixated on what they lack, their cognitive abilities become severely limited. This myopia prevents them from recognizing their true needs and devising solutions to fulfill them, hindering problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and team engagement—especially in critical moments.
Leaders who cultivate an abundance mindset, whether related to material or emotional resources, excel at orchestrating and effectively utilizing those resources. Much like players in Catan must optimize their use of sheep and cotton for long-term success, leaders must harness 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 merely reacting to present challenges; they are actively working towards a brighter future.
2. Harness Collaborative Power
In cooperative games like Mysterium and Forbidden Island, players must collaborate and select the most appropriate actions each turn, taking into account the current state of the board and their teammates' strategies. Each player possesses distinct abilities, and when employed strategically, these abilities can effectively navigate the game's challenges. This collaborative approach is the essence of cooperative gameplay in Eurogames.
While Eurogames may lack direct confrontations, players must still consider the impact of their actions on their fellow players, fostering strategic thinking and adaptability. Similarly, in leadership, understanding the dynamics and interconnections of your environment is essential. As businesses become increasingly interdependent, leaders must make decisions that consider the broad spectrum of stakeholders—including employees, customers, partners, and suppliers. Making decisions in isolation is no longer viable; leaders must acknowledge the intricate tapestry of influences shaping their organizations.
The supply chain disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity for deeper collaboration across supply chains, encompassing suppliers, partners, and even competitors. Leaders must adopt long-term strategies, such as diversification, localization, and cooperation, to navigate these challenges. It’s little coincidence that Pandemic, a cooperative game, mirrors the importance of collaboration and teamwork in overcoming difficulties.
Just as successful Eurogame strategies necessitate a holistic perspective and an understanding of interconnectivity, a sound leadership strategy requires a broad perspective and comprehension of the myriad factors influencing an organization. Impulsive, unilateral decisions made for quick gains can have significant long-term repercussions. In like manner, leaders must strike a balance between immediate results and sustainable growth, augmented by collaboration and support from others.
3. Develop Systems of Triumph
Games like Stone Age and Tzolk’in feature mechanics such as engine building and worker placement, where players develop cohesive systems of actions and effects that complement their strategy. When executed and operational, these systems can significantly bolster a player's strategic opportunities and increase their chances of winning the game.
In engine building pursuits, individuals accumulate assets to attain further assets, while in worker placement, individuals assign their figurine pieces to carry out distinct functions, such as resource accrual. As the game advances, players need to adjust their procedures to meet shifting circumstances and the activities of others.
This engaging game titled Tzol’kin, inspired by the splendid Mayan civilization, surpasses the mere placement of figurines. As the game advances, contestants find themselves in a vibrant environment where the position of their figurines travels through a Mayan calendar, necessitating the consideration of not only assets and labor force but also the influential component of time. This intricate interplay introduces an additional layer of strategy that keeps players engrossed and necessitates meticulous planning at every juncture.
This mechanism resonates with competent management—optimizing resources, talent, and time. In worker placement games, players need to allocate limited resources across diverse tasks to accomplish their objectives. Correspondingly, managers must manage their team's resources—time, talent, and funds—by prioritizing projects that correspond to strategic targets. Managers must prioritize building systems that replicate success. While creating processes that yield prompt rewards may seem convenient, modern managers are expected to achieve consistent, prolonged success. A successful system involves making investments—such as in novel technology—not only for instant returns but with a perspective for sustained growth.
Furthermore, worker placement games encourage players to consider their strategies and the actions of others, emphasizing the importance of comprehending team dynamics and recognizing how individual commitments impact overall results. This method aligns with the concept of reproducibility in leadership, emphasizing the significance of cultivating future leaders through development and coaching. By "paying it forward," established leaders can mentor others, replicating their success throughout the organization.
A pivotal element in achieving reproducibility is not merely driving immediate success but also methodically positioning talent. Investment in coaching become ineffective if top performers lack opportunities to drive breakthrough results. Just as players strategically position their figurines in Eurogames to maximize assets, leaders must position their team members in front of the most prominent opportunities.
Game On: Employing Eurogame-Inspired Leadership Methods
Leaders can gather advantageous insights from board games, particularly Eurogames, which emphasize strategy and resource management. While it's imperative to acknowledge that reality is not a game, and that simulations cannot entirely replicate real-life experiences, applying principles from these games can be useful. For instance, the ability to think several steps ahead can augment a leader's capacity to respond to disruptions and optimize resources and workflows effectively.
Moreover, the lessons learned from board games can inspire better talent management and cultivate a culture of collaboration. This is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced working environment, characterized by a continuous flow of disruptions that mirror the complexities of a Eurogame—and that of the contemporary business landscape.
Ultimately, just as in Eurogames, it's how you confront these challenges that will shape your success.
In the context of the text, here are two sentences containing the words 'leadership' and 'strategy':
The lack of direct confrontations in Eurogames encourages strategic thinking and adaptability, which are essential qualities for effective leadership.
Effective resource allocation and the development of cohesive systems are crucial in Eurogames, mirroring the importance of strategic leadership in managing resources and building systems that drive success.
