Leadership is an art that has been studied and admired for centuries. It requires a combination of skills, such as strategic thinking, communication, and decision-making, to achieve a goal or vision. However, what makes a great leader is not just their ability to plan and execute, but also their willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and make decisions based on the situation in front of them. This is where the game of chess can offer valuable insights.
If you don’t play much chess, you might presume that grandmasters possess an exceptional ability to see many moves into the future. That when lost in contemplation at a chessboard, elite players are computing long sequences of “if I do this, and she does that, and I do this and she does that… checkmate!” You might even think that what distinguishes champions from amateurs is the number of moves ahead they can readily calculate. Except that’s not how most great chess players operate. Instead, they focus on one move. Their next bold move.
What makes chess so interesting is that every game is different, and the board can change rapidly with each move. This requires the player to constantly adapt to new situations and make decisions based on the current state of the board. A great chess player doesn’t need to have a clear plan for the future or calculate every possible move. Instead, they need to evaluate the specific arrangement of the pieces in front of them and their assessment of what the opponent is trying to do. Crucially, it also takes into account their understanding of who they are as a player.
This approach to chess can offer valuable lessons for leaders in any field. Just like a grandmaster playing chess, a great leader needs to be able to evaluate the circumstances in front of them, the forces they are up against in that moment, and their understanding of who they and their people are. Then, they make the next bold move that puts them in the strongest possible position to reach their destination.
A great leader doesn’t need to have a clear vision of the future. Instead, they need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and make decisions based on the situation in front of them. They need to be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their team and make decisions based on their understanding of their people.
This is not to say that having a vision for the future is not important. A great leader needs to have a sense of where they want to go and what they want to achieve. However, they also need to be able to break down that vision into achievable steps and make decisions based on the current state of affairs.
One of the key actions that make for an outstanding leader is the ability to make the next bold move. By focusing on their next move, great leaders can put themselves in the strongest possible position to reach their destination. They don’t need to have all the answers or a clear plan for the future. They just need to be able to make decisions that will move them forward, step by step.
In conclusion, the game of chess can offer valuable insights for leaders in any field. By focusing on the next bold move, leaders can put themselves in the strongest possible position to reach their destination. They need to be able to evaluate the circumstances in front of them and make decisions based on the situation at hand. This approach requires flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to make tough decisions. However, with practice and experience, any leader can develop these skills and become a great leader who can navigate any challenge that comes their way.
** This idea was sparked by the book, Dark Horse by Todd Rose and Ogi Ogas