5 Leadership And Management Lessons From The Game Of Thrones

No clear protagonist? Check. A lot of politics and bloodshed? Check. Regularly killing off the characters you were rooting for? Check. Still managing to capture your mind and heart? Quadruple check. Such was the saga of Game of Thrones. On 19th May 2019, along with the rest of the world, you would have bid farewell to one of the most popular series ever to be made for television. While talks about the low-par writing, the unsatisfying climax, and degradation of characters still abound, you, as a B-school student, can shift your focus to take a positive view. How? By taking leadership and management lessons from the show.

Errr...say whatt?

Exactly. Though all of the kings and their advisors and subjects were brutally tortured in one way or another, the show is replete with lessons leadership and management for aspiring managers and leaders.

Are you one of them? Then, read on:

1. Know when to partner with your enemy (courtsey Tywin Lannister)

Tywin Lannister was one shrewd man who was subtly, and for those who know,  outrightly controlling the fate of Westeros. He wasn’t loved but was feared and respected by all. In episode 6, season 5, Olenna Tyrell says the following when confronting Cersei:

“I didn’t trust your father. I didn’t particularly like him. But, I respected him. He was no fool. He understood that sometimes we must work with our rivals than destroy them.”

And that’s what he did. By forging an alliance between the Lannister and Tyrell houses, Tywin succeeded in bringing peace to a war-torn Westeros and protecting his own house. After his death, Cersei flushes it all down the toilet and spells disaster for herself and her son by giving power to the Faith Militant.

Lesson learned: be discerning and smart enough to know when it’s time to make and break associations.

2. Winning hearts wins you the Throne (courtesy Jon Snow)

When Jon brought the Wildings on the south side of the Wall or when he put the war against the dead over every other war or squabble in the 7 kingdoms, he wasn’t trying to be a hero or garner applause. He was simply doing what he felt was right and what needed to be done, often making a lot of enemies on the way.

But, it led the people to trust him and crown him the King in the North. He might have said ‘I don’t want it’ a thousand times, but the people- strong in their trust and admiration- chose him as their leader.

Another glimpse of Jon’s power with people is given in Season 8, Episode 4 after The Great War against the dead is concluded and everyone is celebrating victory in the warm halls of Winterfell, here is what Tormund says:

“That's why we all agreed to follow him. That's the kind of man he is. He's little but he's strong. Strong enough to befriend an enemy and get murdered for it! Most people get bloody murdered, they stay that way.

He comes back and keeps fighting. Here, north of the Wall, and then back here again. He keeps fighting. He keeps fighting.

He climbed on a fucking dragon and fought. What kind of person climbs on a fucking dragon? A madman or a king!”

The way to the throne is through the way of the heart.

Lesson learned: people follow you and want to see you win when you want to see those people win, too, and do something about it. Jon Snow did a lot.

3. Fear is not your best ruling weapon (courtsey Cersei and Daenerys)

Cersei Lannister had the name of a great house and a ruthless father behind her. Daenerys Targareyan had 3 dragons and the supposed madness of her dynasty behind her. Both women were powerful. It was only a question of how they would use their powers.

Cersei used fear since day 1 to trump her enemies. No one wanted her on the throne, she had no inspired devoted followers, and she could trust no one. By the end, however, both women were on the same page.

In the beginning, Daenerys was a champion of the people and used her power to put an end to evil, bring peace, and liberate people. In Westeros, however, she was an outsider and there was no love or respect for her. Grieving from her losses and cornered in the end, she makes her choice in Season 8, Episode 5.

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We know what happened to both of them and how they died- one with her lover, buried in the dungeons. The other, at the hands of her lover.

Lesson learned: fear is a short-term strategy to keep people in check and make them follow you. Sooner or later, though, they’ll find a way to rid themselves of it and the one who instills it.

4. Inclusivity always wins (courtesy Tywin and Daenerys)

Daenerys is a wise queen in Mereen. She has a diverse assortment of advisors who counsel her but give her the freedom to make her own decisions. Daenerys was quick to recognize Tyrion’s talent and named him her Hand before setting sail for Westeros in Season 6, Episode 10.

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This is the 1st time Tyrion’s eyes swell with happiness. To be recognized for his talent so quickly was all the validation he needed after a lifetime of underestimation.

His father Tywin, on the other hand, had never been able to overcome his deep-seated prejudice against his youngest son. He blamed Tyrion for something the latter couldn’t control- Tyrion’s height and his mother’s death during his birth.

The inability of Tywin’s to look past his son’s height cost him his life and the legacy he held so dear. Tyrion was the one who defeated Stannis in the Battle of the Blackwater. He disciplined and put Joffrey in his place like Cersei never could. He negotiated the terms of Jamie’s release and if he would’ve continued as the Hand, peace might actually have reigned.

Lesson learned: what the eyes see is not all there is. Learn to look past people’s obvious traits and see the gold in them.

5. You must have a love for the game (courtesy Tyrion Lannister)

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As Varys and Littlefinger put it, Tyrion relished playing the game. He had a gift for sizing people up accurately (with a few mistakes along the way) and positioning them where they would most benefit him and his goals.

In episode 2 of season 2, Tyrion ships off the Commander of the City Watch to the Wall after the latter slaughtered Ned Stark and his men. He then names his own loyal sellsword, Bronn, as the Commander. He lays a little trap for the members of the small council and learns that Grand Maester Pycell was a betrayer. Off to prison, the Maester went. Tyrion also learns that he could trust Littlefinger. So, he sends him to negotiate the terms of his brother’s release with Catelyn Stark.

Tyrion had nothing but his wits, his love for ‘the game,’ and a bit of money, too. No swordplay, no dragons, no ruthlessness. And still, he managed to survive and was again crowned the Hand of the King in the show finale. Brunt alone does not maketh a man mighty. Both Ned Stark and Jon Arryn had that. It got them to the grave.

Lesson learned: A love for the game is essential to winning the game. Make sure whichever one you have chosen to play is the one you want to play.

If you look for them, you can find potential lessons everywhere. So now the next time someone ridicules you for spending your time binge-watching Game of Thrones (assignments and placements might not allow you to, however) you can tell them that you are actually learning best leadership and management lessons to be a good leader and manager. Your ways are just a little different.