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Video Games: Do they build leadership?
Take a look at Standford professor Byron Reeves who believes that playing video games helps develop future leaders. He suggests that leadership in video games is not necessarily an attribute of individual players doing the leading, but is an attribute of the environments in which the players are acting. Video games require individual participation and success to win the story (game). They are collaborative; individual players don’t win unless the team wins. Video games provide instant feedback and demands collaboration; two important components in real-time leadership.
As an observer watching my two sons (they are in their 20’s now) play video games on-line with people from around the globe, I see many leadership requirements in action: situational awareness, task management, teamwork, communication, decision making, and followership. I’ve noticed, and experienced, that it also requires a bit of technical competency as well.
Can video games help develop future leaders?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/04/07/VI201...
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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I find it hard to believe that a video game can instill leadership qualities in a person. I am of the opinion that the most important qualities, such as honesty and work ethic, are learned from a role model like a father. Many of us are lucky enough also to work with one such role model who "leads by example." I've been fortunate to work with a "fireman's fireman." Keep in mind I'm not a member of the younger generation. LOL
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Permalink Reply by Billy Schmidt on
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I'm not of the younger generation either. Agree, it takes some real-life people interaction, but can see where this may help with the newer generation. I took the professor's point as the games force everyone to play their roles while working together to win.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Playing video games = real life leadership skills? Boy I hope not.
This may also only be true while living in your parents basement.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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Yeah right I want my next chief to have been brought up on Need For Speed. nuff said.
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Permalink Reply by Station10Capt106 on
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I've played some oneline war games and yes, there is leadership abilities displayed by people there. There is coordination, strategy, planning, implementing, revising, negotiating and diplomacy involved in some of the games.
BUT! I don't think that the video or online games develop it per se. The individual either has the leadership ability or doesn't. If they have it then they can use it to their advantage in the game and becomes one of the leaders of the group. If they don't have it, then they are one of the followers.
Games can be a good tool though in putting some of the principles of leadership to the test. It offers a way to try out and experience the ups and downs of decision making in an enviroment that isn't life & death (although some gamers seem to take the virtual stuff way to seriously!).
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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Has anyone spent much time in these video game environments? I have not, but working in IT many of my co-workers have. This environment develops socially inept people that have a hard time working with people in person. We are in a community service job and due to this we need to be able to interact with the public in a professional way. Another item to think about in these "clans" or "gangs" is that with so many people to play with, it is very typical for people to float around groups without consequences. If you disagree with another member that might be higher ranking in the group, you just up and leave to join another group. I do not know about your neck of the woods, but in Northern BFE there are just not that many opportunities to find other fire jobs. In my opinion, to be a good leader one must master the technical skills first and be able to manage the people second.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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If you disagree with another member that might be higher ranking in the group, you just up and leave to join another group.
I don't see how such an act has anything to do with leadership, but exemplifies the lack of for the most part. As a "real" leader, one deals with all personalities and opinions and is able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses to effectively lead the group. Leaving because one may disagree displays no leadership qualities at all.....what if that was a fire scene and the IC didn't like the firefighters, do they just leave? Vice versa, if the firefighter doesn't care for another or even the IC, do they just leave and leave the rest hanging? I disagree.
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I disagree with this professor's assessment, I can see where such games may help in a social aspect and for a game version, but doesn't necessarily reflect into real life. I work with some individuals who do play such games and do interact with "strangers" in the game, but when it comes to real life, there are no leadership skills displayed. Many of the same people who are shy and keep to themselves, remain as such outside of the game world.
As for leadership, anyone who plays something over and over again is going to get good at things, it is called repitition. Take driving, there are plenty of video games out there related to driving, did they make you a better driver when it was for real? or did it take practice, repitition, and time to develop the skills? Sports? There are plenty of video games for any number of sports, does that make one a good coach in real life because they mastered a video game?
I can understand some issues here such as team work, the social aspect a little, and pursuit of a common goal with a group, but to say a video game helps to build leadership, is a stretch. Like anything, the skills develop over time with anything, the more repitition, the more practice, and the more pursuit of the goal in anything will build a better person and even leader. Some people tend to take on leadership qualities right away whereas it can take longer for others, but the key is the repitition within the area of focus. Place these same individuals of video games into the real life situation and observe the leadership qualities then.....I bet the outcome is much different.
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John, I am sorry that my ramblings were not clear. This is the point I meant to make. Not dealing with the issue at hand is indeed showing poor leadership abilities.
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Permalink Reply by Shaun Hansen on
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I sure hope that leadership skill are not taught from a game. There may be some situational awareness, task management, communications, etc involved with games, but so does walking down the sidewalk or ordering from a drive thru window. The point is, there may be some leadership skill that are required to play, those skills are taught long before they play the game. Also, with games, when one makes a critical error they just start playing again, and do not first hand have to make a critical decision that may result directly with someones life. Games are no substitute for leadership. Just because your the best in WarCraft doesnt mean you should be promoted for your skills.
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