My online game playing continues. I do manage to learn useful things while frittering away hours of my free time. No, really! Today I’ll talk about where it’s taken me…figuratively speaking, of course (I spend a ridiculous amount of time on the couch while playing this game).
The Evony game provides the aspiring “monarch” (player) with a long list of tasks to advance and build their individual kingdoms: researching technologies, smiting monsters, growing the armies, building and improving the castle, etc. There is also a place for the player to improve the personal state of the monarch by improving their wardrobe, weapons, tools, etc. Personally, I do this last. This is also true on those rare occasions where I’ve allowed myself to get into a leadership position in the real world.
You’re there to do a job: create or edit content to advance your organization’s or customers’ goals. That should come first when working. If you’re leading other people, you should make certain that your subordinates (another management word for employees under your supervision is “direct-reports”) have what they need to get their jobs done. Do they need more money, time, cooperation, or resources to perform their individual tasks? In the game, that means checking to see who in my alliance needs assistance with their tasks. So I do all that, then look after the things that need doing in my kingdom. THEN, if and when I have time and resources, I do what I can to advance my own personal goals or ambitions.
Others have differing views: “Look out for number one first.” “If you don’t toot your own horn, who will?” “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Et cetera. They might feel that it’s important that they advance their own interests first so that they can take care of others. I’m not certain I accept this line of thought. To me, it comes across as being focused more on the needs of the individual over the organization. Yes, your interests matter, too, but it’s better, in the long run, to advance yourself by making certain that your people, organization, and work contribute to the overall operation.
And yes, I do think about these sorts of things while smiting rogue centaurs, crafty rangers, and hypocritical knights. My leisure time manages to fuel my work imagination, too.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2021 Bart Leahy 
