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Writer's pictureAngela Hummel

Leadership Lessons from Candy Land

Updated: Jul 11, 2019

Life is short, leadership is hard, and navigating change can be exhausting. So, what’s your Candy Land idea?


The mall has become my place to walk during cold weather months and our local mall has a life-sized game board of Candy Land. During a recent walk I was reflecting on the fun I had playing the game as a child and then with my own children. I remembered how fun and relaxing the game was, and of course how delightful in the game to be surrounded by colors, candy, and characters like Queen Frostine and Gramma Nutt and spending time in places like Candy Cane Forest and Gumdrop Mountain. The game is just plain, good, old-fashioned fun!


After reflecting on Candy Land and leadership, the game has some lessons, simple yet important. If you recall the game, there is no reading involved, only minimal counting skills and no strategy. Players do not need to make choices, just follow directions.  My recommendation is not to play Candy Land in your organization or about a grandiose leadership model, but instead to consider the ability to step away from daily operations and give yourself and your team a break and have some fun!


Life is short, leadership is hard, and navigating change can be exhausting. So, what’s your Candy Land idea?

Have you planned any Candy Land moments lately focused on the permission and the ability to break away and have some fun? My recommendation is to take a few moments, every day, or even every week, to do something relaxing, individually or as a team, that does not require meetings, never-ending decisions, or strategic conversations that leaders face. Instead, something totally different focused on respite, well being, and fun! Yes, fun!


Leaders can and should have fun.  Life is short, leadership is hard, and navigating change can be exhausting. So, what’s your Candy Land idea? What can you introduce to your team to give them a break and inject some fun into their day?

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