ng>Backgammon increases the ability to quickly and intuitively calculate odds and risks in situations of uncertainty; The game of cards - Bridge - develops social interaction and communication based on partial information; Chess requires strategic thinking and system vision, as well as experience Board Games and Management Skills
Imagine you are screening candidates for a senior executive position. The job demands strategic thinking abilities and complex decision-making skills. You've narrowed the search down to 3 candidates, all of whom have impressive educational background, relevant experience and the right personality for the job. You take another look at their resumes and notice an interesting fact about one of the prospective managers - apparently her hobby is playing various board games including Chess, Bridge, and Go (an ancient and complex Japanese game). Will this fact affect who you ultimately choose for the position of manager?

Apparently, characteristics and skills that are required for playing board games are especially relevant for managers of all levels. Quite a few senior managers say that the skills and habits they acquired in playing games give them an extra edge in business and in management. This includes handling fast changes, taking calculated risks, self-discipline, improved memory, “coolness” under pressure, and determination to carry-through the right strategy - even if it leads to short-term loss.

According to different managers, each game has a distinct focus on skills that stem from the nature of the game. Thus, for instance, Backgammon increases the ability to quickly and intuitively calculate odds and risks in situations of uncertainty; The game of cards - Bridge - develops social interaction and communication based on partial information; Chess requires strategic thinking and system vision, as well as experience i

ity for the job. You take another look at their resumes and notice an interesting fact about one of the prospective managers - apparently her hobby is playing various board games including Chess, Bridge, and Go (an ancient and complex Japanese game). Will this fact affect who you ultimately choose for the position of manager?

Apparently, characteristics and skills that are required for playing board games are especially relevant for managers of all levels. Quite a few senior managers say that the skills and habits they acquired in playing games give them an extra edge in business and in management. This includes handling fast changes, taking calculated risks, self-discipline, improved memory, “coolness” under pressure, and determination to carry-through the right strategy - even if it leads to short-term loss.

According to different managers, each game has a distinct focus on skills that stem from the nature of the game. Thus, for instance, Backgammon increases the ability to quickly and intuitively calculate odds and risks in situations of uncertainty; The game of cards - Bridge - develops social interaction and communication based on partial information; Chess requires strategic thinking and system vision, as well as experience

y choose for the position of manager?

Apparently, characteristics and skills that are required for playing board games are especially relevant for managers of all levels. Quite a few senior managers say that the skills and habits they acquired in playing games give them an extra edge in business and in management. This includes handling fast changes, taking calculated risks, self-discipline, improved memory, “coolness” under pressure, and determination to carry-through the right strategy - even if it leads to short-term loss.

According to different managers, each game has a distinct focus on skills that stem from the nature of the game. Thus, for instance, Backgammon increases the ability to quickly and intuitively calculate odds and risks in situations of uncertainty; The game of cards - Bridge - develops social interaction and communication based on partial information; Chess requires strategic thinking and system vision, as well as experience

ing fast changes, taking calculated risks, self-discipline, improved memory, “coolness” under pressure, and determination to carry-through the right strategy - even if it leads to short-term loss.

According to different managers, each game has a distinct focus on skills that stem from the nature of the game. Thus, for instance, Backgammon increases the ability to quickly and intuitively calculate odds and risks in situations of uncertainty; The game of cards - Bridge - develops social interaction and communication based on partial information; Chess requires strategic thinking and system vision, as well as experience

ng>Backgammon increases the ability to quickly and intuitively calculate odds and risks in situations of uncertainty; The game of cards - Bridge - develops social interaction and communication based on partial information; Chess requires strategic thinking and system vision, as well as experience in exploiting tactical patterns and opportunities.

The skills needed for playing games are not only cognitive. The basic setting of games requires the ability to operate while involved in intense competitive social interaction, with alternating moments of cooperation and confrontation. Obviously, similar skills are needed in the daily functions of people in general and of managers in particular. Improving these skills is a great part of the learning and training managers need to undertake.

Managers Play to Train and Learn
With the abovementioned similarity of the skills required in board games and those required of managers, it is almost natural that board games have indeed become a powerful management training tool. The subjects that may be addressed with this type of learning are diverse, and include effective decision-making, problem-solving techniques, development of creative thinking, improved personal communication, synergetic teamwork, work under pressure, and more.

Games such as Chess, Go and Bridge usually require more than a basic understanding and quite a long period of learning in order to reach a level that enables significant practical management learning. However, there is a large number of games with simpler rules, that may be understood in minutes, and can still be used as powerful learning tools.