In July and August, Camille, Julien, Hugo and Robbert took part in a summer school organized by Antwerp Management School for one of their clients. The summer school took place in the beautiful Voerstreek, an ideal setting for reflection, learning, and connection.
During our full-day session, we played our popular Zombie Game, which once again sparked insights, interaction, and engagement. But this time, the setting was quite different. Unlike the usual context of crisis governance or crisis management where the game is typically applied, this summer school had a different focus. The organization is currently undergoing a transition: the global management team recently decided to shift toward centralized leadership, reducing the autonomy of local entities. This shift has introduced a sense of uncertainty within the organization. How do you maintain motivation and engagement when your decision-making power is suddenly limited? How do you find meaning in your role when direction increasingly comes from the top? And how do you navigate the tension between centralized control and local flexibility?
The game mechanics of the Zombie Game are ideally suited to explore certain aspects of organizational theory in an accessible way. In the game, three teams, each playing a different part of the scenario, must collaborate to protect the world from zombie attacks. What makes the game unique is that each team only has access to part of the information and different resources to intervene. This quickly leads to fascinating discussions about who should take the lead overall. Should the teams closest to the threat coordinate the response? Or do you rely on a central policy team that is farther removed but has a broader overview? These questions touch on core issues that also arise in real organizations. Do you opt for rigid control or give teams autonomy within clear boundaries? How do you ensure that the right information is shared? And how do you build mutual trust, despite distance, differences in roles, or perspectives?
The Zombie Game provided a safe yet stimulating framework to explore these tensions during this summer school. Participants were able to playfully experience the underlying dynamics of their own organizations, while also reflecting on ways to navigate them. The team, by the way, delivered a strong performance: not only did they return with valuable insights, they also defeated the zombies.
Want to know more? Learn more about the Zombie Game or get in touch with us.
