If you’ve ever worked in human resources (HR) and thought, “Wow, this job feels like running a never-ending Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) campaign,” you’re not alone. HR professionals and Game Masters (GMs) share many of the same skills – conflict resolution, rule interpretation, and somehow making everyone feel heard while keeping the adventure (or workplace) from falling into chaos. So, grab your dice, take a seat at our virtual table, and let’s talk about how HR is basically just an ongoing game of Dungeons and Dragons (or your other favorite TTRPG).
Session Zero: Onboarding & Company Culture
In tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), Session Zero is the all-important gathering, before the game ever starts, where players create characters, set expectations, and establish ground rules. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s the business equivalent of onboarding and setting company culture. Just like in a Session Zero, HR ensures that new hires know the policies (house rules), make sure they agree with company values (campaign theme), and understand their role within the team (party dynamics). It’s also a great time to remind everyone that “stealing from the party” (violating ethics policies) is generally frowned upon.
The Adventuring Party: Your Employees & Teams
Every workplace has its own adventuring party, each member bringing unique strengths (or glaring weaknesses) to the table. You’ve got:
- The Paladin (Leadership/Management): Always preaching the company mission, sometimes to an annoying degree.
- The Rogue (Sales & Marketing): Charismatic, resourceful, and occasionally pushing ethical boundaries in the name of “results.”
- The Cleric (HR & Employee Relations): Constantly healing morale and reminding people that, no, they cannot just “ignore” workplace policies.
- The Barbarian (Operations and logistics) gets things done through sheer brute force and willpower. Subtlety is for other departments.
- The Wizard (IT & Data Analysts): The keepers of forbidden knowledge (Excel formulas) and practitioners of magic (automation tools) that mere mortals don’t understand. Each character class has a role to play, but without balance and collaboration, the campaign (or company) won’t last long.
The Game Master: HR’s Role in Business
The GM is the game’s unsung hero—setting the stage, enforcing the rules, and dealing with all the unexpected player shenanigans. Sound exhausting? Welcome to HR! HR professionals act as the workplace GM, crafting policies, designing engagement strategies, and trying (desperately) to ensure fair play. But just like a GM, HR doesn’t exist to be the enemy – HR’s job is to create an environment where employees can thrive, make informed choices, and (hopefully) not set everything on fire, metaphorically or otherwise.
Random Encounter Tables: Workplace Surprises
HR, like D&D or other TTRPGs, is full of random encounters. Some days, it’s smooth sailing, and other days, a wild “Employee Dispute Over the Office Microwave” appears. From sudden leadership changes (new campaign arc!) to unexpected compliance issues (mimic attack!), HR professionals must always be ready to adapt, strategize, and roll with the punches.
Rolling for Initiative: Performance Management & Conflict Resolution
Let’s be real: conflicts are inevitable. Whether it’s a passive-aggressive email war or a full-blown department standoff, HR often has to step in and roll for initiative. Just like in combat rounds, resolving these situations requires:
- Assessing the Situation: Who’s involved? What are the stakes?
- Choosing an Action: Mediate? Investigate? Call in reinforcements (a.k.a. senior leadership)?
- Rolling the Dice: Because, despite all preparation, sometimes you’re at the mercy of chance (or legal constraints).
Loot & Leveling Up: Compensation & Career Growth
At the end of the day, employees want to know what’s in it for them, whether it’s loot (salary, bonuses, benefits) or experience points (career growth and development). HR’s job is to ensure that rewards are fair, equitable, and aligned with the challenges employees face. After all, nobody wants to spend years grinding through office quests only to find out their raise is basically a +1 pencil sharpener.
The Final Boss: Organizational Change
Every campaign has a Big Bad Evil Guy (BBEG), and in the world of HR, it’s often change management. Whether it’s a major restructuring, a new HRIS implementation, or leadership turnover, guiding employees through change is like taking a level 5 party into a dragon’s lair; daunting, but not impossible with the right strategy (and enough healing potions).
Embrace the Chaos & Keep Rolling
At its core, HR, like TTRPGs, is about creating a structured yet flexible environment where people can succeed, grow, and contribute to a shared mission. Sometimes, things will go off the rails, and sometimes, you’ll have to roll a natural 20 just to keep things running smoothly. But in the end, it’s all about making the adventure worthwhile. So, to all my fellow HR professionals out there: Keep your rulebooks handy, your policies clear, and your sense of humor intact. The campaign never truly ends—but that’s half the fun, right?
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