A few months ago I recorded an episode of theStories Lived. Stories Told. podcast hosted by Abbie VanMeter. Abbie was an excellent host, who made the experience very straightforward and the kept the conversation flowing. We talked about D&D in the context of leadership and communication. Heres the official blurb:
How do games like Dungeons and Dragons enable us to practice a CMM-informed way of relating, participating, and communicating?
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Today, Abbie and Tom explore Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) as a powerful practice and metaphor for developing more relational, emergent, and collaborative ways of being and leading, touching on the value of experiental learning in scenarios our brains will remember as real; the need (both in game and out) to coordinate across different meanings being made in each of our own imaginations; and the opportunity to transform and be transformed by collective storytelling and world building.
I had a great time recording the episode and we covered a lot of ground. You can find it by following the links below:
Over the last 15 year, few moments have become as iconic in the gaming sphere as the infamous “Leeroy Jenkins” incident from the video game World of Warcraft. For those unfamiliar, Leeroy Jenkins is a character who, in a recorded raid planning session, abruptly charges into battle without waiting for his team’s strategy, resulting in a spectacular failure. While this moment is often remembered for its humor, it also holds valuable lessons that transcend gaming and apply to various aspects of life and teamwork. So what can we learn?
1. The Importance of Preparation
One of the most glaring takeaways from the Leeroy Jenkins saga is the significance of preparation. In the video, the team meticulously plans their strategy, calculating odds and discussing tactics. However, Leeroy’s unplanned charge into the fray completely derails their carefully laid plans, leading to most of the party being wiped out and their objective lost.
Lesson: Preparation is key to success, whether in gaming, work, or personal projects. Taking time to plan, understand the task at hand, and ensure everyone is on the same page can dramatically increase the chances of success. While spontaneity can sometimes lead to positive surprises, a lack of preparation often results in preventable failures. Think of the six Ps: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
2. The Value of Teamwork and Communication
The Leeroy Jenkins moment underscores the importance of teamwork and clear communication. The rest of the team was engaged in a collaborative effort to strategize, yet Leeroy’s solo actions ignored this collective effort, leading to chaos. The actions of one, completely destroyed the goal of the group.
Lesson: Effective teamwork relies on every member contributing and adhering to the agreed-upon plan. Communication is crucial in ensuring that all team members understand their roles and responsibilities. Disregarding team dynamics can undermine the entire group’s efforts, leading to conflict and failure.
Although amusing, Leeroy Jenkins does highlight the issues of having a Lone Wolf on your team. As a leader you need to try and get everyone pulling together as a team. If an individual doesn’t want to do that, then perhaps it is time for them to work/play elsewhere.
Some great memes came from the Leeroy Jenkins incident.
3. Embracing Failure and Learning from It
Despite the catastrophic outcome, the Leeroy Jenkins incident has been embraced by the gaming community as a legendary moment of humor and learning. World of Warcraft now has a Leeroy Jenkins NPC for players to interact with and references have popped up in media ranging from Family Guy to serious military discourse. It highlights that failure, while sometimes embarrassing or frustrating, can also be an opportunity for growth and camaraderie.
Lesson: Failure is an inevitable part of any endeavor. The key is to embrace these moments, analyze what went wrong, and use the experience to improve future efforts. In both gaming and life, laughter and resilience in the face of failure can transform a setback into a memorable and educational experience.
Final Thoughts
The legend of Leeroy Jenkins is more than just a funny internet video; it’s a cautionary tale with lessons about preparation, teamwork, and the value of learning from failure. By taking these lessons to heart, we can approach our own challenges with greater foresight. So next time you’re about to charge into a situation, take a moment to plan, communicate, and remember the enduring cry: “Leeeeroy Jenkins!”
Dungeons & Dragons is built on teamwork, creativity, and shared storytelling. However, at least once in their journey every Dungeon Master will eventually encounter a problem player—someone whose behavior disrupts the game, frustrates other players, or creates unnecessary conflict. Whether it’s an attention-hogging player, a rules lawyer, or someone who constantly derails the campaign, handling these individuals effectively is essential for maintaining a fun and engaging experience for everyone.
Types of Problem Players
The problem player takes many different guises. But the one thing they have in common is disrupting the game and reducing the fun of everyone else at the table. Here are a few of the more common varieties:
The Spotlight Stealer – Always wants to be the center of attention, overshadowing others and making the game about themselves.
The Rules Lawyer – Constantly argues about the rules, slowing the game and creating friction with the DM and players.
The Disruptor – Makes inappropriate jokes, derails the story, or causes in-game chaos just for the sake of it.
The Lone Wolf – Ignores the party and pursues their own goals, disregarding group decisions.
The Power Gamer – Focuses entirely on optimizing their character for combat, often at the expense of roleplaying and team dynamics.
The Flake – Frequently misses sessions, arrives late, or isn’t engaged when present, disrupting game flow.
Strategies for Handling Problem Players
Players who disrupt the game in the ways described above need to be dealt with. Otherwise, the alternative becomes a game that is not as fun. Players will leave the table with a sense of frustration and are much less likely to come back to your table. Here are a few strategies that myself and other DMs I know have used to minimize the disruption caused by problem players.
Have a One-on-One Conversation – Most players don’t realize they’re causing issues. A private chat can help set expectations and find solutions. I’ve found this is the most successful strategy, particularly if you enter the conversation with tact and not in attack mode.
Set Clear Table Rules – Establishing a social contract at the start of the campaign ensures everyone understands acceptable behavior. I would encourage every DM do this at the start of a new game, especially when new players are present.
Redirect and Reinforce Positive Play – Encourage collaborative play by giving equal spotlight time and rewarding teamwork. Simply moving round the table and asking what each player is doing in turn ensures that everyone has a chance to shine and that no one person dominates the action.
Use In-Game Consequences – A rules lawyer might meet enemies who don’t follow the normal rules. A lone wolf might face an enemy too powerful to handle alone.
Know When to Ask a Player to Leave – If a player consistently ruins the experience despite multiple discussions, it may be best to part ways. But make sure to have tried speaking to them first, offering them a chance to change their behaviour.
The Business Parallel: Problem Employees
Of course, this article wouldn’t be complete without a parallel to the workplace. Just like in D&D examples above, businesses also deal with problem employees—individuals who disrupt workflow, cause conflicts, or refuse to collaborate. A few of the more common problem employee types include:
The Credit Hoarder – Takes all the glory, ignoring the contributions of the team.
The Policy Lawyer – Constantly challenges company rules, slowing down processes.
The Office Disruptor – Engages in gossip, negativity, or distractions that harm morale.
The Lone Operator – Works in isolation, refusing to communicate or coordinate with colleagues.
The Bare Minimum Worker – Does only the absolute minimum required, affecting team efficiency and ultimately morale.
Managing Problem Employees
Dealing with problem employees is not dissimilar to handling problem players as a DM. Communication and tact are the name of the game as well as understanding when to enforce consequences. A few good examples include:
Provide Clear Expectations – Just like table rules, workplace policies should be well-defined and enforced. These should be explained to new employees as part of onboarding and reinforced by the organization’s leaders.
Encourage Constructive Feedback – Open dialogue can often resolve behavioral issues before they escalate. This is key to nipping problems n teh bud and letting employees steer back on the path before becoming disruptive.
Recognize Positive Contributions – Reinforcing good behavior can shift workplace culture in the right direction.
Use Consequences When Necessary – Performance reviews, coaching, and structured feedback can guide employees toward improvement. However, use these sparingly and only when other attempts have failed.
Know When to Let Go – Sometimes, letting an employee go is the best option for the team’s overall success. Weighing up the time and effort being spent on performance managing an employee and the impact on the team against keeping them is a hard but worthwhile exercise.
Final Thoughts on Problem Players
Whether at the gaming table or in the office, a single disruptive individual can have a significant negative impact on team morale and productivity. By addressing issues directly, setting clear expectations, and reinforcing positive behavior, both DMs and business leaders can cultivate a more cooperative and enjoyable environment for everyone involved. Ultimately, strong leadership, communication, and proactive management are key to dealing with problem players—whether they’re rolling dice or filing reports.
