Article Abstract
Many managers view gaming as a frivolous activity, reflecting poorly on discipline and productivity. However, research increasingly shows that gaming can build cognitive, social, and emotional skills that are relevant to organizational success. Skills developed through various types of gaming, including tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) and video games, are becoming more critical as organizations navigate complex environments. TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons foster collaboration, creativity, and leadership, challenging the negative stereotypes associated with gamers. Video games can build cognitive abilities like quicker reaction times and stress management skills. To overcome the stigma against gamers, managers should ask potential hires about their gaming experience, encourage gaming conversations in the workplace, and lead by example by engaging in gaming themselves. Normalizing gaming not only supports inclusivity but also helps organizations recognize and harness the diverse skills gaming can bring to the workforce
Harvard Business Review, October 2024
About the researcher
Jesse Olsen (PhD in Organizational Behavior) is a Senior Lecturer of Management in the Department of Management and Marketing and Academic Program Director of the Master of Business. His research focuses on hobbies/leisure and work, improvisation, diversity and inclusion, and leadership. Jesse’s work has been published in top-tier academic journals and featured in outlets including the BBC, Harvard Business Review, SBS World News, and Forbes. He has also engaged with organisations such as Perpetual, the Australian Workplace Gender Equality Agency, McDonald's, the Queensland Government, and the Asian Development Bank. Prior to becoming an academic, Jesse worked in professional roles in higher education and banking.