Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Games are simulations of real life. Some games simulate real life better than others. The key is to connect the simulations to real life in a meaningful manner.

Games are simulations. The Monopoly game is supposed to simulate business, commerce, and acquiring wealth or something like that. Tick-Tack-Toe simulates spatial logic and the wisdom and folly of wasting time playing a game that no one can win or something like that. There seems to be a million video games out there that simulate this and that or something like that.

As a simple example, I watch my grandson playing something on his phone. I have no idea what game he is playing or what it is supposed to simulate, but I see his reaction to the game. As always, the reaction is more important than the event. My grandson reacts with joy, angst, anger, frustration, etc.

Whatever game he is playing is simulating real life quite well. Real life is full of joy, angst, anger, frustration, etc.

The key is connecting these reactions to the game to reactions in real life. Having to wait longer than expected and the reaction of frustration is like being frustrated while playing a video game on a phone. The reaction of frustration is the same regardless the source event. Learn from the simulation.

Not sure what is causing troubles with you and your team at work? Play a game, i.e., use a simulation for an hour. Observe events and reactions among the team. Learn. Apply the lessons from the simulation to the real-world work.

We can do better, and simulations can help us if we make meaningful connections to real life.