I’ve spent five years leading chess-based strategic thinking workshops in Silicon Valley, including at Google. It’s fascinating how, during COVID, more people worldwide picked up chess than ever before — a clear sign that we’re all seeking fresh ways to develop our minds. I still remember a moment after giving an online talk in a Far Eastern country: a participant reached out because she wanted her brother, a mid-level manager at a global company, to learn these skills. That company turned out to be Google. Talk about a small world — or in this case, a small “chess world!”. For me, the lesson is simple: good practices are worth borrowing and weaving into our professional lives, be it from any part of the world.

When I talk about chess, I often hear people ask, “Why is this good for me?” But if we aren’t open to adopting proven methods, where exactly are we leading our businesses? The same mindset applies to chess. We train our bodies to stay strong and healthy, but rarely do we train our minds just as consciously. Many folks believe thinking is “fixed,” but from my experience, strategic thinking, foresight, and swift decision-making can be honed just like muscles in the gym. You don’t work out merely to “look good,” right? You want your body to handle stress and perform well over the long haul. Why shouldn’t the same logic apply to your brain?

Here’s a list of what I emphasize during my chess-based business trainings:
• Strengthen your “mental muscle” by practicing forward thinking and planning.
• Encourage measured risk-taking to remain adaptable in a fast-changing world.
• Incorporate post-game analysis: review each “move” (decision) to find learning points to progress.
• Develop a keen sense of pattern recognition to spot emerging opportunities and threats.
• Practice “board vision,” looking at the entire playing field instead of fixating on just a single piece.
• Embrace creativity — sometimes the most unorthodox move holds the greatest potential.

In the end, whether you’re a seasoned executive or just starting out, investing in your mind will always pay great dividends. Chess reminds us that every move must serve a purpose, and that principle can transform how we lead teams, solve problems, and pursue growth.

Remember: True synergy begins when you train your mind as consciously as your body — both are built for greatness.