What can leaders learn from „Squid Game"? Part 2

Squid Game became one of the most popular series of 2021 – our blogpost focuses on the lessons that leaders can learn from Netflix’s series. The article contains spoilers.

An organization has four key aspects: design; culture and employee experience; learning and growth; and leadership. In this article, we will summarize Squid Game’s messages by these four aspects. Read the first part here, where we write about design, culture and employee experience. The article contains spoilers!

Based on the next two organizational aspects we can draw these conclusions:

1. Learning and growth

This aspects consists of two parts:

• Strategy

During the tug of war game Sang Woo suggested that if they let the rope go for a few moments, the opposing team will lose their balance. Everyone considered it a crazy and risky idea, but it proved to be effective. Taking risks is crucial for development. In these uncertain times, a brave strategical move can lead to new opportunities.

• Mistakes are learning opportunities

The glass bride challenge portrayed how useful it is to learn from our mistakes. Sometimes we only get one chance – we have to use our previous knowledge and others’ experiences. If we learn from our experiences and listen to others, we will be more likely to win.

2. Leadership

There are three parts of this aspect:

• Lead with wisdom

In the tug of war game one of the players gave a life-saving advice to the others based on his childhood experiences and he has ordered a role to everyone for the game. The good leader knows how to choose the right people for positions and how to build strategies based on their experiences.

• Creativity is key

In one of the challenges, the players are given a honeycomb candy which had a shape in the middle. The task was to use a needle to break the candy around the shape. Gi-Hun remembered that water melts sugar, so instead of trying to break the candy with the needle, he licked around the area. When it come to leadership, it is essential to be creative, question norms and think outside the box. Taking a new perspective is also helpful when dealing with uncertainty.

• Compassion matters

Gi-Hun, the winner of the game was one of the few people who valued friendship and human life. He always made sure that his little team fo misfits stayed together and protected each other. He was not the strongest or the smartest, but the last game proved that is is possible to win by believing in people. A humanistic, emphatic approach is key to handling obscurity.

One of Squid Game’s messages is that not the strongest ones make the best team. The key to success is a strategical, emphatic leader, who has a clear vision and goal, and motivates workers to grow, learn and work effectively. And to win, it is also necessary to feel included and make valuable connections in- and outside the organization.

The original article can be accessed here.