Let’s be honest—there’s something captivating about watching Littlefinger from Game of Thrones and Olivia Pope from Scandal do their thing. One’s a puppet master with a flair for chaos, the other a diplomatic genius who fixes impossible situations. If you forget the selfish scheming, you can learn how they drive their agendas.
Today, leadership as the default means handling multicultural teams, navigating digital transformation, and acing multilateral negotiations. Maybe there’s point to drive to be the ultimate leader without becoming a villain with the right mix of strategy (Littlefinger) and diplomacy (Olivia Pope).
Lead Without the Backstabbing
Littlefinger excels at reading people and influencing them, but he’s, well, at least in my books, a terrible team player. Multicultural teams demand the same level of insight but with a focus on collaboration, not manipulation.
I like to learn what motivates my team members across cultures. It’s easier then to understand their goals, respect their norms, and create a space where differences become strengths. And, unlike Littlefinger, I don’t like to hoard secrets—Why should I share information that helps the team thrive?
Bring Everyone Along for the Ride
Digital transformation, or any transformation, isn’t just about tech—it’s always about people. Leaders need Olivia Pope’s ability to manage competing priorities and Littlefinger’s knack for strategy, but they also need one key ingredient neither of them uses enough: empathy.
When driving digitalization, expect resistance (someone will always ask why the old system isn’t good enough :-)). Use Olivia’s persuasion skills to explain the benefits clearly and Littlefinger’s planning chops to ensure everyone has what they need to adapt. A little humor and patience go a long way here, too—especially with technophobes.
Play Nice, but Stay Sharp
Leading multilateral negotiations is like juggling flaming swords while people shout advice in five languages. Littlefinger would exploit the chaos, while Olivia would smooth-talk her way to a resolution. You? You’ll do both—ethically, of course.
Ok, ok, sometimes the ethical option is not the first on my mind. But, after a while, exploiting the chaos or smoot-talking will get you nowhere in the long run, so I suggest you take a break and listen to what’s happening carefully. Like Olivia, use empathy and communication to find common ground. But don’t ignore the Littlefinger playbook entirely—study the power dynamics and think a few steps ahead. The goal is to broker agreements that work for everyone, not just the loudest person in the room.
The Jedi Mind Trick of Ethical Influence
Both Littlefinger and Olivia Pope are masters of influence, but their methods differ. Littlefinger manipulates (and betrays), while Olivia persuades with charisma and maybe a bit more integrity. You need influence to lead, but make sure you do it for the good of your team and organization, not only for personal gain.
Use your influence to inspire rather than control. Help your team see the bigger picture, whether it’s adopting a new digital tool or working across cultural divides. And always keep it transparent—people trust leaders who play fair.
Chaos Isn’t a Ladder—It’s a Leadership Test
Littlefinger famously said, “Chaos is a ladder,” but Olivia Pope would argue, “Chaos is a solvable problem.” In this case, I’m with Olivia. In leadership, especially in fast-changing environments, chaos is inevitable. Your response determines success.
When things go sideways (and you know they will at times), channel Olivia’s cool demeanor. Stay calm, gather the facts, and craft a clear action plan. And for the love of your team, don’t let anyone see you sweat—it’s fine to stress, but do it behind the scenes.
The Art of Leadership Without the Villain Arc
I have to admit that the guys were right. I do use some of the tools mentioned above. So I know combining Littlefinger’s strategic brilliance and Olivia Pope’s diplomacy can give you a leadership edge in multicultural teams, digital transformation, and negotiations. How do I do it? I use these skills to build trust, solve problems, and inspire people—not to start plotting your way to the metaphorical Iron Throne.
If you want to lead with strategy, empathy, and a touch of drama (the good kind), I have noticed this approach will set you apart. And hey, as a bonus, your team will thank you and remember you for not being the office villain.
