In our course we did not play video games in vain because there are definitely parallels between online game playing and the business world in which the two IBM reports indicate. These reports were both interesting and eye opening especially when discussing the facts and the research that is being conducted to prove this. Both business and online gaming share the fact that people gather people from all walks of life in complex environments, and both require an advanced level of collaboration in order to become successful. Business is becoming more and more of a global community and the world of online gaming, specifically MMORPG, mimics this and also enhances a leaders ability in handling real world challenges. Personally, before taking this course and reading these reports I felt that a discussion utilizing video games in the workplace was laughable. Not only do the reports dive into the strategies of emerging new leaders, it perhaps more importantly provides a unique look into how companies could be learning from this type of environment. The reports provided information companies could use to improve efficiency and being comfortable in taking risks, coming to terms that it is an important factor in business.
The two IBM reports provided a interesting perspective on how the likes of video games can improve ones ability in leading. Many people believe that leaders are born and not made, however, the reports show that this may not be the case. Leadership can be a product of the environment and it could happen quickly and suddenly, often from individuals who considers themselves to be reserved. Leadership roles in video games are often shared between members, paying close attention to a members skills and attributes to accomplish specific project oriented tasks. Companies should be paying closer attention to this. Just as with emerging business tools that can help people become better leaders such as business intelligence software and communication tools, MMORPG's utilize this and can help users feel more comfortable about taking leadership roles. This tools range from online forums, voice-chat capabilities, Skype, and more. This makes delegation and mediation an easier task, and also aids in completing various tasks. It also puts the leader in a position where he has to decide which tool is best for a given situation which breeds confidence not only for the leader but for the people around him/her that the job can be done.
Companies could use these reports as a way to improve business and the way business gets done. For example, an important piece that I took from these reports was that leadership can be something that is assumed for a specific task and not a permanent identity that sticks with someone. It should not be assumed that a leader is qualified to tackle every task, so a rotating leadership policy could prove effective. The reports also mention that it is not to say that permanent leaders should not emerge from this environment. Through a rotation, long term leaders can emerge with clear visions and goals for the company.
A crucial aspect of online gaming worlds is the fact that risk taking is necessary for big rewards. This is one area where many times companies are scared to take chances because of the fear associated with it. There are often times where the modern leader is faced with a situation where a company could lose millions of dollars. It is easy to say especially when the world of online games do not involve multi million dollars and lives at risk. However, with that being said, risk is a crucial element and often encouraged in video games. This could help companies in becoming less stagnant and could ultimately make them more successful. References: IBM Report: Leadership in a distributed world - Lessons from online gaming
IBM Gaming Report: Virtual Worlds, Real Leaders
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