It’s a fascinating parallel, isn’t it? In a medieval court the king is the ultimate patron, just like the CEO, and the advisers are the knights and nobles jockeying for favour. Each counsellor has a particular niche—finance, foreign policy, or the arts—much like a project manager, analyst, or designer. They form alliances, whisper secrets, and sometimes conspire to elevate their own standing, just as a team might rally around a charismatic leader or a competing group of stakeholders. The court’s intrigue is driven by loyalty, ambition, and fear of being outmaneuvered, which echoes the modern office’s competition for promotions, budget cuts, and recognition. Both worlds rely on trust and betrayal, and both can crumble if the ruler or CEO loses faith in their advisers or the team feels undervalued. It’s a timeless story of power, ambition, and the delicate balance of influence.

Sounds like a solid plan. I’d start with storytelling to set the tone, then we can sprinkle in role play and a quick framework to keep everyone aligned.

That sounds like a perfect opening. I’ll dive into a tale of a royal assembly to spark the imagination, then we’ll try a quick role‑play to feel the dynamics, and wrap up with a crisp, sticky‑note style alignment sheet that will keep the team on the same page. Let's begin.