Of sensemaking, mind mapping, and “Thought Cabinets”: Managerial lessons from the video game Disco Elysium (GameFrame)
No, Harry. You were just talking to yourself. That’s all you ever do. Even in your dreams. And the act is wearing thin, the spots of the disco ball fade around you…
— A hallucination manifested as a bloated drunkard
Written by Antonio Sadaric and Carin-Isabel Knoop
We live in a world of information overload. Everything seems increasingly complex, exponentially more interconnected and interdependent, while our cognitive capacity remains the same — at the human level.
Managers in the modern workplace need to make sense of the overwhelming amount of information and evolving employee needs while dealing with leadership’s “regular” challenges. Vast amounts of data, emails, messages, reports, and various other forms of information make it challenging to process, prioritize, and make well-informed decisions efficiently. The siege never seems to end. Many of us still feel as we did in the pandemic when we lost our bearings in the fog of Zoom.
When you think you’ve grasped a fragment of understanding, another wave of data or demand crashes, dazing and disorienting.
Managing in this environment can feel like trying to piece together the night before after having one too many.
This installment of our GameFrame series joins a worn-down detective and defeated man, Harry Du Bois, in the video game Disco Elysium, to explore the challenges of sensemaking in a world of cognitive overload and how “thought cabinets” and mind and impact mapping can help managers.
Being lost — even within ourselves
Disco Elysium, a highly acclaimed role-playing video game, provides a unique insight into the sensemaking process: "turning circumstances into a situation that is comprehended explicitly in words and that serves as a springboard into action.” Its name evokes the Greek mythological concept of Elysium, a post-mortem paradise reserved for the blessed.
Protagonist Du Bois wakes up in a hotel room in the fictional town of Revachol with no memory of his past or present. As the game progresses, he meets his investigation partner, Kim Kitsuragi, and must piece together the fragments of his past and present by interacting with others.
Without understanding the self, the protagonist struggles to detect factual information from the lies characters tell him. In this way, the game serves as a metaphor for figuring out reality — one that managers often go through when faced with complex problems. After all, every story the others tell him seems to “make sense” without an appropriate paradigm applied to scrutinize it and assess its validity.
The main quest in “Disco Elysium” revolves around solving a murder case, and grasping the reality of it all is at the core of this investigation. Harry needs to gather evidence, analyze clues, and interpret witness testimonies to unravel the mystery behind the crime. As he encounters characters with unique personalities, motivations, and secrets, he must gather information and understand their actions and intentions.
This illustrates how sensemaking is essential in problem-solving, critical thinking, and uncovering the truth in real-world scenarios where information clarity is uncertain.
Just like the protagonist in the game, managers must gather information from various sources, examine their assumptions and biases, and piece together a coherent picture of the situation to make informed decisions.
But managers are also sensegivers, and one of their key responsibilities as leaders is to help their team members and relevant stakeholders become conscious of ongoing activities (e.g., organizational transformation efforts).
To help others make sense of a specific situation or a vision of the future, leaders need to make sense of the specific phenomenon first and then create a meaningful narrative that is easy to understand.
How important is sensemaking, anyway?
The game’s non-linear narrative structure also reflects the often unpredictable and non-linear nature of the sensemaking process, as the protagonist takes scattered information and attempts to find patterns to figure out how newly occurred situations fit into the big picture. With so much data coming in from various sources, it can be challenging to understand it all and identify what is relevant and essential.
A clear lack of sense or the inability to make sense of ongoing circumstances and occurrences quickly leads to senselessness. A state where meaning, coherence, and logical understanding is absent or difficult to discern leads to decision paralysis and ineffective action, which can further intensify feelings of anxiety and helplessness.
In such moments, the emotional aspect of interpreting events becomes evident as individuals grapple with frustration, confusion, and the sensation of being overwhelmed. Ambiguity amplifies the emotional toll of senselessness.
As individuals navigate this emotional landscape, they yearn for a transformative turning point, a moment akin to the five-act structure of “Disco Elysium,” where revelations and insights lead to a new understanding of themselves and the world around them, culminating in a journey towards clarity and personal growth.
The story in five acts (and making sense of it all)
The game’s non-linear narrative and the freedom for players to choose emphasize the importance of individual sensemaking and illustrate how interpretations of the same incidents create drastically different outcomes.
Players interpret events, characters, and clues in the game differently, shaping their unique experiences, just as managers interpret and figure out real-world situations based on their perspectives and context.
(Act 1) Foggy Beginnings: In this act, Harry wakes up with amnesia and needs to start sorting through the confusion as he starts navigating the chaotic world of Revachol. The game establishes essential contextual settings, and the process of discernment begins. But it’s clouded by confusion and uncertainty.
(Act 2) Unraveling the Threads: The inciting incident that triggers Harry’s journey is the murder case that slowly starts to uncover his past. Observing the discernment process, an inciting incident often catalyzes seeking information, understanding, and interpreting a situation.
(Act 3) Shadows and Reflections: Harry confronts his inner shadows and reflects on his past mistakes during the story’s rising action. His abilities are tested as he grapples with moral dilemmas, and choices significantly impact his transformation and the narrative’s progression. This act parallels the sensemaking process’s stages of gathering information, processing data, and forming initial interpretations.
(Act 4) Epiphany’s Edge: — Harry has a pivotal encounter with the elusive and enigmatic character known as “The Deserter,” a key figure tied to the murder case and Harry’s past. During this intense conversation, the player can uncover significant revelations about the murder, the victim, and Harry’s role in the events. In sensemaking, the climax is the “aha moment.” Individuals gain clarity, insight, and a deeper understanding.
(Act 5) Echoes of Choices: In the denouement, the consequences of Harry’s journey of figuring out reality reverberate through the narrative. The echoes of the choices he made and the insights he gained are seen in the resolution of the murder case and the impact on the characters and the city of Revachol. In sensemaking, the denouement corresponds to applying insights gained during the process, leading to decision-making, problem-solving, and actions that align with the newfound understanding.
The game tracks a player’s ideological choices and personality specifics. Your actions brand you in the eyes of others, just like in the modern workplace, where narcissistic tendencies flourish, serving as a proxy for competence in the eyes of the employer.
So, every choice matters, and everything affects everything, depending on the narrative you are trying to create to help yourself fathom reality.
Making meaning of symbolism
Disco Elysium transcends its genre and uniquely explores philosophical themes such as existentialism, moral relativism, and political ideologies. Symbols represent condensed information, often packing an additional emotional component that engages the person interpreting them.
The game presents a world that is both absurd and surreal yet deeply meaningful, and it invites players to reflect on their own beliefs and values.
Elysium is a fictional city in the game, and the disco element refers to the game’s soundtrack and blends disco and jazz music with a melancholic undertone. The game’s overarching philosophy is that life is beautiful and tragic, and individuals have the agency to shape their destiny even in a chaotic and indifferent world.
Beyond the symbol of the title, three symbols are relevant to contemporary management: the RCM badge, The Pale, and The Street Art Murals.
The Revachol Citizens Militia Badge: The RCM badge symbolizes authority, responsibility, and identity. It represents Harry’s past role as a law enforcer and his current struggle to reclaim his identity and purpose. For managers, this symbol serves as a reminder of the significance of leadership and its responsibilities. It prompts managers to reflect on their roles as guiding figures and the need to always balance authority and compassion. (See here for a badge with a soul-searching narrative.)
The Pale: The mysterious, otherworldly force hovers over Revachol. It represents a sensation of detachment and unreality, blurring the lines between the conscious and subconscious minds. For managers, the Pale serves as a reminder of the importance of staying grounded and aware of surroundings. It symbolizes the dangers of becoming disconnected from the reality of their teams’ needs and concerns and how powerful the fear of ambiguity is. (See here for a depiction of the horror of ambiguity.)
The Street Art Murals: The street art murals in “Disco Elysium” depict political and social themes, representing the collective voice of the city’s residents. They serve as reminders of the power of expression and the role of art in reflecting the pulse of society. For managers, this symbolizes the importance of listening to employee voices, fostering an inclusive culture, and recognizing diverse perspectives. (See here for visual.)
The symbols can serve as reminders of the complexities of leadership, the importance of staying grounded and adaptable, the impact of the space where work occurs, and the significance of listening to team member voices and needs to create a cohesive and thriving work environment.
They represent a series of complex ideas that form thoughts in figuring things out, portrayed in the concept of a “thought cabinet.”
The “Thought Cabinet”: Sensemaking process of Disco Elysium
“Thought Cabinet” is a unique gameplay mechanic that embodies the process of making connections from random events occurring within the narrative. It represents Harry’s internal dialogue and cognitive exploration as he grapples with various thoughts, ideas, and perspectives.
The player gains access to over 50 thoughts through interactions with other characters, experiences different contextual settings, and invests hours researching them before they take effect. Each “Thought” has bonuses and penalties, influencing Harry’s skills, thoughts, and actions in the game.
These “Thoughts” are like cognitive pathways that reflect different aspects of Harry’s personality, beliefs, and coping mechanisms, and the “Thought Cabinet” serves as a captivating representation of how sensemaking is not only about external interactions — but also about the internal cognitive exploration and growth of individuals as they navigate complexities:
1. Thought Formation: Harry’s thoughts and ideas are continuously shaped as players progress through the game and interact with characters and events. Harry’s experiences and reflections lead to the emergence of various cognitive pathways or Thoughts.
2. Multiple Perspectives: The Thought Cabinet allows players to explore various perspectives and ideologies through Harry’s thoughts.
3. Adaptive Learning: Equipping Thoughts in the Cabinet allows players to adapt Harry’s skills and approach to various challenges. Outside the video game world, individuals learn and adapt based on new insights and understandings, which helps them navigate complex situations effectively.
4. Internal Dialogue: The Thought Cabinet represents an internal dialogue within Harry’s mind. Internal mental processes help create meaning, and the Cabinet showcases Harry’s cognitive journey as he processes information, reflects on actions, and starts understanding his experiences.
5. Revelations and Transformations: As players progress in the game, they may unlock new thoughts or trigger the development of existing ones. This reflects moments of epiphany and insight characteristic of the sensemaking process, where individuals experience transformative revelations that alter their perceptions and decision-making.
How do you create your own thought cabinet?
One of the most popular thought visualization techniques is “mind mapping.” It is taught to children at an early age to stimulate their visual learning and information organization skills.
Just as the Thought Cabinet serves as a mental space for Harry to organize and explore different thoughts and perspectives, mind mapping visually represents interconnected ideas and concepts. Both techniques facilitate the process of realization and cognitive exploration by promoting a non-linear approach to making connections between complex information.
Try mind mapping…
Mind mapping allows managers to visualize complex projects, ideas, and goals, helping them understand the interconnected aspects and relationships within their teams and tasks.
The core principles that make mind mapping techniques so effective are that they allow for connecting ideas and observations in a visual, non-linear way. This approach can help to stimulate creativity and facilitate more effective problem-solving. Mind maps also encourage creativity and brainstorming, enabling managers to explore various solutions and perspectives when facing challenges.
The best way to visually organize information is through a hierarchy, where the most important ideas are placed at the top and then connected to sub-ideas, sub-sub-ideas, and so on.
By using mind maps, managers can identify potential bottlenecks, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources effectively, fostering a more organized and efficient workflow.
OR, try impact mapping…
An advanced application of a mind map is the technique of “impact mapping,” introduced by Gojko Adzic. Similar to how the Thought Cabinet allows Harry to explore various thoughts and perspectives, impact mapping enables stakeholders to visualize and understand the impact of their decisions on a project’s objectives.
OR, combine them!
When managers create a mind map, they visually organize interconnected ideas, tasks, and goals, allowing for a comprehensive view of the project’s elements. This structured representation supports sensemaking by enabling managers to understand the relationships between different components and the context in which they operate.
Similarly, using an impact map encourages stakeholders to explore the consequences and impact of their decisions on the project’s objectives. By visualizing the cause-and-effect relationships, managers can make informed choices, prioritizing actions that align with strategic goals and deliver significant results.
Just as the Thought Cabinet promotes self-awareness and personal growth for the protagonist, these mapping approaches empower managers to cultivate a clear and strategic vision of their projects, fostering adaptability in the face of information overload.
Finding melody in the cacophony of our worklives
In the bustling world of the modern workplace, managers face a maze of challenges, from information overload to the buzz of fake news. But just as Harry taps into his Thought Cabinet to tame the chaos, managers too can harness the power of sensemaking to conquer complexity:
1. Embrace sensemaking as a core skill: In a workplace riddled with information overload and disruptions, sensemaking becomes a crucial skill. Embracing the process of giving meaning to new experiences empowers managers to navigate complexity, make informed decisions, and lead with clarity and purpose, especially in times of dramatic change. The ability to reflect on past actions and choices, adapt beliefs and perspectives, and embrace personal growth fosters resilient leadership.
2. Find a way to navigate information overload: Modern managers can overcome this by critically evaluating sources, discerning facts from fake news, and focusing on meaningful insights to avoid cognitive overload. This helps create a work environment where teams respond effectively to challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and strive for continuous improvement and innovation instead of turning to discord over conflicting opinions. It involves becoming aware of how dependent we have become on technology and distraction and how this impacts our ability to be in touch with our feelings and those of others.
3. Lead with clarity and purpose: By applying sensemaking principles, using mapping techniques, and nurturing a culture of adaptability, managers can lead their teams with clarity and purpose. In a constantly evolving workplace, managers who embrace sensemaking to learn from experiences and challenges can lead their teams with authenticity and empathy, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
4. Appreciate the possibility of uncertainty. Much as many of us at first regretted changing how we worked and managed in Covid, many now realize how much we took for granted and how much we learned if we were willing to consider being expatriates in our worlds. Not seeing the world as we usually see it, perhaps after a night on the town or driving in the fog, affords us the possibility, even forces us, to concentrate more on what we perceive and consider that things may not be as they seem.
Sensemaking empowers you to cut through the clutter, distinguish truth from fiction, and lead your team with purpose and poise. Like in disco music, however, the exercise is not to find the right notes but the harmony and connection they create. Embrace this dance of strategic insight and innovation, and let sensemaking light up your path as you boogie into the future of modern management!
For other GameFrames, see:
On the power of video games for managers in the digital world: https://lnkd.in/eMw-iyaN
On compassion: https://lnkd.in/eMi3aWmr.
On psychological safety: https://lnkd.in/e8WuZEHz.
On workaholism: https://lnkd.in/eThWda3h.
On fear: https://lnkd.in/eEEWKDnM.
On perseverance: https://lnkd.in/eXEByfqU.
This article was written by:
Antonio Sadaric is passionately curious about organizational symbolism, corporate cultism, and general mechanisms of social learning in various contexts. His consulting work at BUFFED focuses on leadership upskilling and helping (fin)tech scale-ups humanize organizational development. Co-author of Capt. Bossman’s Workplace Stories — the world’s first picture book for professionals.
Carin-Isabel Knoop leads the Harvard Business School’s research and case writing group. She has co-authored more than 200 case studies on organizations and managers worldwide. Learning about managers’ challenges pushed her to improve their lives, leading to the publication of Compassionate Management of Mental Health at Work (Springer, 2018). She enjoys soft-serve ice cream, pragmatic idealists, and postcard writing.
