Considered a ‘thinker’s game’, chess is a popular among millions of people who actively play it around the world. It’s a game that transcends borders and age. Chess boards can be found in schools, parks, business offices and homes, and is enjoyed by both young and old. Part of its attraction is that many of the principles applied in chess translate to other areas of life, including the business world.
When considering the moves made on a chessboard versus what happens in business, there are common elements. Chess is about protecting a valuable piece and engaging with an opponent who wants to win. While different strategies abound for attacking and defending, a good player will know both. In the business world, a similar approach is common, with companies protecting their value proposition (whether product or service) and engaging with competitors through offensive and defensive tactics.
Nilesh Waghela, a retired independent business advisor, has played chess for years. He has used some of the lessons learned playing chess to advise corporate clients and business leaders on how to navigate various hurdles. These learnings are shared below.
Every Piece Is Valuable
Chess players get a set of pieces to play the game, with each piece serving a purpose and positioned in a special place. Many beginners tend to push forward almost immediately in a bid to get their valuable pieces into good positions. Experienced players, however, take their time, knowing that every piece and move works toward the overall objective. Every piece is moved with purpose and plays a role in winning the game.
In business, it’s common for a company to only be concerned with hiring the ‘best of the best’ when building its team, while forgetting the less-experienced staff who can still help and make a difference. When a team has a combination of both experienced professionals and beginners, and each knows their role and expectations, they can work together to make the company’s vision a success.
Look Ahead
Experienced chess players often think several moves ahead while also considering all of their pieces, rather than playing one move or one piece at a time. This ability to think ahead and see the patterns unfolding on the board is invaluable, as it helps them to position appropriately and see their aforethought moves become a reality.
In business, it’s vital to think ahead and keep the future in mind even as the business navigates the present. Having a plan and anticipating changes and trends in the market are good ways to stay prepared and ready for what the future holds.
Winning Is Not A Strategy
In business, it’s not sufficient to simply want to accomplish a particular goal (for example, ‘attain X amount of market share’) without specifying exactly how to make this happen. Good chess players understand the actions that will bring them success at the start of a game are not be the same actions that will help them finish it. Similarly, a business leader should strive to understand more about the business, its strengths and weaknesses, an opponent’s strong and weak qualities, and which strategies can help achieve success in the short or long-term.
Think Outside the Box
A good outcome is not always guaranteed, whether in chess or business. However, being able to think outside the proverbial box is crucial if a business wants to keep the market interested and willing to engage with it. Profitable products and services come as a result of innovation, which calls for going beyond the comfort zone and possibly trying something that has not been done before. When it comes to gaining an edge over the competition, changing up the rules is necessary.
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