Why the best managers play Dungeons & Dragons | Jeff Randolph | TEDxAvila University

Drawing on nearly 50 years of Dungeons & Dragons, Jeff Randolph explores how a game that started in 1970s basements became a masterclass in leading modern organizations. This isn’t just a hobby; it’s a toolkit for the 21st-century boardroom. Over the history of the game, Dungeon Masters have developed a set of tools and techniques to keep high-performing teams coming back week after week to solve more problems.

Jeff is the Chief Marketing Officer at EAG Advertising & Marketing, and the host of the Small Business Miracles Podcast, where his interviews and team building conversations frequently turn to lessons learned at the gaming table. In this talk, he gets deeply nerdy, describing how the concept of Session Zero embraces the shared values of empathy and emotional intelligence, and why the Dungeon Master mindset shifts leadership from command-and-control to collaborative world-building. From running games for Special Forces veterans and attorneys to corporate campaigns built around team building, Jeff shows why D&D is the most powerful way to build a high-performing team, and the most critical leadership skill is the ability to sit at a table and co-create a vision.

By "owning the nerdy," Dungeons and Dragons unlocks a framework for radical collaboration—rooted in shared values and ready to reach the world. He is here to show the world that the best managers don't just give orders, they roll for initiative. Jeff Randolph is the Chief Marketing Officer at EAG Advertising & Marketing, where he serves as a chief marketing strategist for B2C, B2B, and nonprofit organizations. A veteran marketer and executive leader, he hosts the Small Business Miracles podcast and teaches at Avila University. With nearly 50 years of experience as a Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master, Jeff brings an unconventional leadership lens shaped by storytelling, collaboration, and failure‑driven learning. His work reframes leadership through empathy, resilience, and the power of shared narrative—proving the best leaders don’t just give orders; they roll for initiative.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Receive SMS online on sms24.me

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