Larp in leadership development. Can the use of live action role plays (larps) be beneficial in the leadership training at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy?

Abstract

Military personnel are required to perform in times of crises and war. These situations are characterized by complexity and uncertainty, and require teams with members capable of showing role flexibility. Role flexibility can be divided into 1) having a wide behavioural spectrum and 2) reading social situations correctly and choosing the behaviour that best serves solving the mission at hand. Social pressure and the fear of failing hold team members back from going outside their comfort zones, thus hindering them in developing their ability to show role flexibility. However, live action role plays (larps) can remove these barriers and provide a suitable training arena. This bachelor thesis aims to investigate if the use of larps can be beneficial in the leadership training at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy.