The RPG (Role-Playing Generation)

What Business can learn from Gaming – Heledd Straker

At lot has been written and discussed about Generation Y and its use of social networking sites, but there isn’t so much at the moment on how businesses can gain insights into leading this cohort by observing how it uses other technologies, such as online role playing games.

While both MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) and social networking sites are used by Generation Y to hold conversations and so build trust-based relationships, the method of communication is different. On the one hand, social networking sites are designed to manage relationships and span the bridge between online and offline communities. On the other hand, MMORPGs focus on completing tasks and building up one’s identity and skill set in a virtual world; but skills which can be transferred to the real world.

For example, IBM’s 2008 study of online games revealed their success to be linked to the Sloan Leadership model, which is composed of:

• Sense-making (understanding the situation quickly)
• Relating (building collaborative teams)
• Visioning (motivating others with a compelling vision)
• Inventing (innovative problem-solving)

MMORPGs are designed so that one’s strengths and weaknesses are clear to all users, allowing groups to be formed rapidly and implemented effectively. This means current leaders are required to be rapid yet effective in their decision-making (sense-making) and social skills (relating and visioning). Additionally, in the virtual world, while failure pains many a player, it matters far less than in the real world. Consequently players take risks (inventing), often resulting in fast and innovative results.

As a result, the conversation between players in online games becomes one of trusting and respecting each other based on skill set and experiences, as this is the key to both individual and team success.

Despite this, it is perhaps too soon for Generation Y to be putting its WoW achievements on its CV. However, it is most certainly time for business leaders to think about Generation Y’s latent leadership skills, as well as its ability to build trust, in a new way.

Find out more about Heledd