Notes on Bridge, ADHD and Leadership.
A decade has passed since I began playing bridge.
In hindsight, this game has had a profound impact on my life and in this blog post I want to share three radical ideas on Bridge, ADHD and Leadership.
1. Bridge and leadership: How playing the game can make you a better manager
As an Engineering manager, I’m faced frequently with tough decisions that can have a big impact on my team and our company. In this regard, there is a clear parallel between professional life and bridge:
First, playing this card game requires thinking ahead and anticipating what the opponents might do. You have to be aware of the cards played and the cards that are still in their hand. Like in business, this requires critical thinking, so you can anticipate actions and adjust your strategy.
Second, bridge forces you to prioritise and manage your resources effectively. Just like you would with a budget or a team of employees in bridge, you have to manage your cards and decide which ones to play and the order in which to play them.
Finally, in bridge it’s essential to think objectively and weigh the pros and cons of different options, the basis for making good decisions. During a game, you have to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your own hand and decide whether to bid or not. This requires careful thought and decision-making, skills that are essential for effective management.
2. From Distraction → Focus: How this game helped me overcome ADHD
Let’s move on to a more personal topic.
I have ADHD — fortunately on the milder end of the spectrum. Nonetheless, this can be challenging for me to maintain focus and complete tasks for extended periods of time. On the other hand, bridge requires intense concentration and focus. So, through playing this game, I have found that it’s an excellent way to train my brain and significantly enhance my attention span.
Another manifestation of this ADHDness is the tendency that I have to stay stuck on a problem and get anxious about it. In this regard, playing bridge has been a great stress-reliever: When I am fully immersed in the game, I also forget what stressed me out and will be able to fully disconnect.
Finally, bridge comes with another important aspect which can be beneficial for anyone, especially individuals with ADHD: you play with a partner. This partnership is a great way to build social connections and strengthen relationships.
3. There is a clear correlation Bridge → emotional well-being
This third idea is probably the most surprising of all (and it took me years to grasp its real potential!): playing bridge is a unique opportunity to get a real-time and accurate picture of my own mental state!
When starting a tournament, I have to be fully present and engaged in it. I have to keep track of each card, make strategic decisions, and communicate effectively with my partner. This level of commitment requires me to tune in to my own mental state and take stock of how I am feeling.
Take a look for yourself: on the left side is my performance stats during a week when I was feeling tired and distracted, and on the right side are the deals I played just after a restful weekend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, playing bridge has been a real game-changer both in my professional career and personal life. As a manager, it has helped me become a better decision-maker by teaching me the importance of strategy, teamwork, and communication. As someone with light ADHD, it has helped me master focus-to-detail and improve my attention span overall.
So, give it a try — I assure you that you won’t be disappointed.
