Why role-playing games work for neurodivergent brains (like ours)
Traditional leadership training can be... a lot.
Too vague, too rigid, too much small talk, or not enough structure. For those of us with neurodivergent brains, it can feel like we’re being asked to lead in someone else’s language.
That’s why we do things differently.
We use role-playing games. Story-based, dice-powered, slightly silly role-playing games - because they work better for the way our brains tick.
Here’s why:
1. Structure we can trust, freedom we can use
Games offer clear mechanics. You know what you can try, how success is measured, and what happens next. But inside that structure, there’s room to explore, play, and try things your way. Whether you have autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or just need clarity to feel safe, that balance - solid rules with creative freedom - hits the mark.
2. Room to show up without masking
Taking on a character gives us some space from the pressure to perform or "get it right". You don’t have to mask or figure out office politics - you’re just in the story. Funny thing is, people often find their real leadership voice when they’re pretending to be a rogue priest in a haunted forest.
3. Our kind of thinking fits here
In role-playing games, there’s rarely one right way to solve something. Thinking in patterns, noticing side routes, or coming at things sideways isn’t just allowed - it’s useful. Whether you come up with unexpected solutions or ask the questions others miss, the game makes space for it. You don’t have to explain why your brain works the way it does - you just get to use it.
4. Social connection, with scaffolding
We like people - we just don’t always love unstructured group dynamics. Games give us social interaction with clear rules. You know when it’s your turn, what the shared goal is, how to support someone else. That makes a huge difference. It’s team-building that doesn’t drain you.
5. It’s safe to try things out
Rolling badly doesn’t mean you failed - it just changes what happens next. In these stories, mistakes are part of the journey. You can try bold moves, take risks, get it wrong, and still move forward. For a lot of us, that feels different - and freeing. We don’t have to get it perfect. We just have to show up and play.
At Leadership Treehouse, we don’t just make space for neurodivergent people - we are neurodivergent people.
We build these games for our own brains too. For deep thinkers, fast talkers, slow processors, quiet observers, and curious minds. This isn’t training. It’s a story. A world you get to help shape.
Come roll with us.
(Yes, dragons are welcome.)
