Game of Thrones is pretty much the most popular show of the past decade. It is a high fantasy show based on the book series called ‘The Song of Ice and Fire’ by George R.R Martin. This show contains a lot of fantasy elements such as magic, dragons, white walkers, Giants, Children of the Forest and other such elements exist in the make believe land of Westeros. Violence, lust, murder, incest, battles, sex, conspiracy, hookers, power and all in the name of love, there’s quite a bit to learn from our beloved series. And who says we can learn only from the living? The famous deaths on the show can teach us some life lessons as well.
- Ned Stark: To save your head, have a plan.
Ned Stark was one of the few characters that we get attached to at the beginning of the show. We liked him for his loyalty, his sense of responsibility and his affection towards his family but one thing that we detest the most is how he lacked the general sense of strategy and planning involved while attempting to uncover the incestuous secret.
I mean, who goes and openly confronts Queen Cersei about her incestuous relationship and her bastards? Not someone who has a sensible strategy in mind. Ned really was going to a gun fight with a knife. He should have played smart and saved his neck, head and life.
In the absence of a plan you lose everything (including your head) and amount to nothing. Be it work, studies, personal life or any other imaginable aspect of your life, be ready with a plan. A person who fails to plan is a person who plans to fail.
- Joffrey Baratheon: Be nice or get killed.
Joffrey’s death was rejoiced all over the Game of Thrones fandom. He abused his power, made enemies for no reason, demanded respect because of the position and did everything possible to make sure he dies. His characteristics were a perfect recipe for a death potion which he brewed himself.
An instance that proved that “King” Joffrey was not fit to be a king was when he fled the Battle of Blackwater. He still insisted on commanding respect. He was brutal to his fiancée Sansa, made fun of his uncle, treated people like scums and the list goes on. My point is that he could have been a better fiancé, a better son, a better brother and lastly a better king. He failed on all accounts.
Any man who says, 'I am King' is no true king. If you really have to command people to respect you for the position you are at, then you don’t deserve to be respected. Respect is for the person and not for the position. Respect is earned and it is definitely not earned by being cruel and vicious. Be nice to people, you never know who can help you get further ahead in life. And in life, be it personal or professional, you’d always require support from people.
- Oberynn Martell: Don’t celebrate before you win
Oberynn was a smart, tactful, determined, passionate and was easily a likeable character. Our very own Red Viper had the fighting skills and a well-educated mind. Yet none of this helped him to live as he ended the fight before it was finished.
Oberynn got way too emotional when it came to fighting the Mountain. He let his feelings get the better of him. He could have easily finished the mountain and was almost successful. Despite Mountain’s size, he was no match for Oberynn. Yet Oberynn was crushed (literally). He should have just kept his feelings aside and not declared his victory till he was sure of it. Be Great but also be Cautious.
Any person who lets his feelings and euphoria affect while competing or while working cannot succeed. To be successful you need to cut your losses. Being personal at a professional level will always result into disastrous consequences. Make sure you won the war and not only the battle. Yes, small victories lead to big ones but if you don’t pay attention to the final war. Small victories at workplace and in the business may feel overwhelming but one shouldn’t lose sight at the ultimate goal that one has.
*Given the death toll on GoT, I can't fit all the deaths and the learnings in one article. Stay Tuned for Part 2.
