• Ideas
  • Culture

5 Leadership Lessons You Can Learn From Game of Thrones

2 minute read
Ideas

Answer by Mira Zaslove on Quora.

1. “The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. — Eddard Stark.

Don’t shy away from making tough calls. And just as importantly, do the unpleasant work to follow through. As Ned reminds us, “He who hides behind executioners soon forgets what death is.” Leaders who spend time in the trenches, doing the tough work, will take making tough decisions more seriously.

2. “A Lannister always pays his debts.” — Tyrion Lannister

In the workplace, the quickest way to lose respect, and power, is to promise things you can’t deliver. The surest way to get people to do things for you is for them to trust that you will do what you say you will in the future. Leaders follow through on their word. When they say they are going to do something, they do it.

3. “Any man who must say, I am the king, is no true king.” — Tywin Lannister

True power comes from where people believe it comes from. Not from where you say it comes from. The best leaders are followed based on the collective will, not because they say, “I am the boss.” Power and influence, often come from unexpected places.

4. “Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder.” — Littlefinger

Chaotic times reveal a leader’s strength. When times are good, it’s easy to be the leader. Only when chaos reigns, do many leaders rise. Effective leaders aren’t thwarted by challenges. They use challenges to foist them higher. As Littefinger, highlights: “Many who try to climb fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them.” Leaders are not broken. They continue to climb.

5. “Winter is coming.” House Stark

Leaders remain vigilant. The world is uncertain. The best leaders always innovate, stay strong, and plan for the future. Being prepared for the unexpected is essential. Embrace winter, especially when everyone else is distracted and basking in the sun.

This question originally appeared on Quora: What are the best leadership lessons you can learn from Game of Thrones?

More from Quora:

  • What life lessons does Game of Thrones teach us?
  • What should everyone know about negotiation?
  • What lesson can we learn from each character of Game of Thrones?
  • See Photos from Game of Thrones Season 5

    Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. Macall B. Polay—HBO
    Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton, Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton and Elizabeth Webster as Walda Frey.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Conleth Hill as Varys and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. Helen Sloan—HBO
    Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Jacob Anderson stars as Grey Worm in Game of Thrones
    Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei and Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand and Deobia Opaeri as Areo Hotah. Macall B. Polay—HBO
    Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark and Aidan Gillen as Littlefinger. Helen Sloan—HBO
    Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon and Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister. Helen Sloan—HBO
    Alexander Siddig as Doran Martell. Macall B. Polay—HBO
    Carice van Houten as MelisandreHelen Sloan—HBO
    Kit Harington as Jon Snow. Helen Sloan—HBO
    Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne and Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Dean-Charles Chapman as Tommen Baratheon and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister.Macall B. Polay—HBO
    Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane. Helen Sloan—HBO
    Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister. Helen Sloan—HBO
    Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow.Macall B. Polay—HBO
    Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister and Ian Beattie as Meryn Trant.Macall B. Polay—HBO
    Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Ciaran Hinds as Mance Rayder.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand.Macall B. Polay—HBO
    Jessica Henwick as Nymeria Sand.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Keisha Castle-Hughes. as Obara Sand.Helen Sloan—HBO
    Nell Tiger Free as Myrcella Baratheon and Toby Sebastian as Trystane MartellMacall B. Polay—HBO
    Nell Tiger Free as Myrcella Baratheon.Macall B. Polay—HBO

    More Must-Reads from TIME

    Contact us at letters@time.com

    TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.