Leadership Lessons from the Latest Episode of Game of Thrones

Winter has come, and Game of Thrones fans enjoyed the first episode of season 7. This episode had a couple of good leadership lessons. By the old gods and the new, there are spoilers ahead, so read at your caution.

Jon Snow leading the North in Winterfell

Jon Snow leading the North in Winterfell

Jon Snow is an inclusive leader, which will expand his influence. He embraced the wildlings earlier in the show and most recently the next generation of the Umbers and Karstarks. These moves build his collation, expand his influence, and will aid in the battle with the white walkers.

Most organizations have an “enemy” to help focus their strategy. The most successful organizations focus their efforts outside, towards beating a competitor or changing the status quo in the marketplace. I’ve seen places that concentrate, instead, on infighting between departments. These places don’t exist anymore.

Jon Snow focuses instead on the outside threat, the white walkers, which puts the North in the best position to survive.

Secret Information in the Citadel Library

Secret Information in the Citadel Library

We see Sam Tarley in the Citadel, the greatest library in Westeros. All kinds of information that is vital to the humans is literally locked up in the Citadel. The maesters there are keeping the “memory” alive, but not making that useful information available.

Be transparent with your information, don’t horde it. You never know who needs that data to help them do their job.