Leadership Lessons: Game of Thrones and the Power of Effective Styles
Despite being set in a medieval fantasy world, the global television series Game of Thrones is tremendously compelling due to the relevance of its themes to contemporary life. The show’s leadership is one of its central topics.
Whether you like the show or not, we can all learn some important lessons from the characters’ portrayals of different leadership styles and how to be excellent leaders.
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Traits to Implement For An Effective Leadership Style:
Like a Visionary Warrior
Over the years, Daenerys Targaryen has significantly changed from an inspiring dreamer to a fierce ruler. Dany was the underdog who had no prior experience. She had our support since she had faith in herself and her mission in life. She embodied the enthusiasm, endurance, and persistence that all great leaders and businesspeople should practice over the first seven seasons.
When things are difficult, it doesn’t matter if you fall; what matters is getting back up. When you do, you’ll motivate people to support you and walk beside you on the journey.
Don’t Be a Destructive Tyrant
Just be careful not to turn out like Daenerys from Season 8 who was a destructive tyrant similar to her opponent, Queen Cersei Lannister, in your desire to be a visionary leader. They were both leaders who decided to win at all costs, which ultimately cost them everything.
In the end, they believed in governing via fear and had a small group of supporters, many of whom were too terrified to oppose them. Cersei and Daenerys made sure that anyone who challenged them or attempted to undermine their authority was eliminated. Although it should never be a sustainable leadership style, many leaders accidentally or otherwise rule by fear.
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It’s crucial that your employees and valued advisers feel secure and supported in speaking up about suggestions, improvements, and conflicts without fear of negative consequences if you want to avoid falling into this trap. Additionally, less effort should be devoted to outperforming the competition and more time should be devoted to improving both your company and yourself.
Be a Diplomat
The show’s voice of reason was frequently Tyrion Lannister. He fits the description of a capable politician with strong leadership skills who favors diplomacy over force. Since the start of the series, he has benefited from his reputation as a brilliant, kind, and humble man. He made many mistakes in later seasons, but at least he had the guts to own up to them. Because many characters valued his advice, he eventually became the king’s top counselor.
Consider Tyrion’s example and show empathy when there is a fight. Consider the opposing viewpoints and pay attention to both sides of the argument.
Ability to Collaborate with Dynamic Talents
Who said a pack has to have a single leader? Look at Steve Squared of Apple; some things, like the adored Stark sisters Sansa and Arya, are better in pairs. We have witnessed them develop into confident, knowledgeable ladies throughout the years. Sansa is an expert in the use of grace while maintaining a healthy level of skepticism.
On the other hand, Arya favors being a formidable warrior and lone wolf. Despite their differences, they each enjoy the respect and allegiance of their respective populations, and when they work together, they can be a formidable force. You should always keep a lookout for business connections that are solid and strategic.
Be a Servant Leader
A fantastic illustration of this desirable leadership style is Jon Snow. He was a servant leader who put the welfare of his followers and the realm as a whole first. He was conscious of putting the needs of others above his own and never sought authority. He constantly engaged in fighting alongside his troops, treating them all as equals, and shared victory with them all. That was only one of the numerous factors that made him so beloved by audiences everywhere and by residents of the North.
Start with letting go of your ego and developing a strong desire to serve others if you want to learn this excellent leadership style.
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Asking yourself, “How can I best serve my team so that they can perform at their best?” will help you do this. Then, consider the favorable effects that would have on the culture of your business, your clients, and ultimately, your goal. You can automatically persuade people to love and support you as a leader if you can lead by example, showing that no one or duty is beneath you.
Conclusion
There is no dearth of information and inspiration out there for those who wish to learn. As is said, “Leaders are not born, they are made” and by that virtue, there is never a cut-off age for stopping to implement effective leadership styles. Whether you want to infer lessons from books or movies, it’s all there!
