Collaborative Play, Collaborative Work: Using D&D and Personality Theory to Enhance Teamwork
Summary:
Using D&D and Myers-Briggs theory, this seminar examines how collaborative play reveals insights into teamwork, communication, and group cohesion across professional and educational settings.
Description:
This seminar reports on findings from a study using D&D to examine team dynamics, personality, and collaboration. Small teams of four to five participants were assessed using Myers-Briggs theory and observed across two structured D&D sessions designed to surface real-world teamwork behaviors.
In one session, participants played characters aligned with their personality preferences; in the other, they played characters opposed to those preferences. Scenarios targeted specific team challenges such as communication, leadership, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Team performance was evaluated using a tournament-style scoring model and participant surveys measuring key collaboration metrics. The seminar shares observed patterns, conclusions, and practical insights applicable to corporate teams, education, healthcare, and gaming groups.