The Samurai Game® – An Experiential Leadership Simulation

The Samurai Game® is a powerful, immersive experiential leadership simulation originally developed in 1977 by George Leonard. It’s designed to help individuals and teams deepen self-awareness, improve decision-making under pressure, and strengthen collaboration and resilience in unpredictable situations.

This experience happens in a series of "acts" although it is not a theatrical show or role-playing performance. Rather, participants engage in a structured sequence of symbolic scenarios that reflect real dynamics of leadership, teamwork, trust, morality, and choice — all under conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity that mirror the challenges of modern organisational life.

What Participants Experience

• Teams participate in a series of unpredictable scenarios that require resourcefulness, integrity, and cooperation

• Individuals gain insight into habitual patterns, strengths, and limitations

• Leaders and teams explore how they respond under pressure and ambiguity

• The experience culminates in guided reflection and debrief to translate learning into daily practice

  (Learning outcomes commonly include heightened self-awareness, improved collaborative performance, stronger decision-making, and deeper team cohesion.)

An unforgettable journey into my true self

Dominique

"

Who the Game Is For

The Samurai Game® is suitable for:

• Leadership teams and managers

• Cross-functional teams

• Organisations seeking deeper team alignment

• Individuals looking to expand self-leadership and presence

There are no physical prerequisites and no martial arts skills are required. The focus is on psychological clarity, integrity, and shared purpose.

How It’s Delivered

The Samurai Game® can be facilitated in:

• One-day or multi-day formats

• As a standalone workshop or part of broader team development programs

Participation must be led by a certified Samurai Game® facilitator — certification and delivery standards are governed by Samurai Game Associates. samuraigame.org

About the Origin

The Samurai Game® was created by George Leonard, a thought leader in human potential and leadership development, who based the simulation on philosophical and practical insights drawn from Aikido, martial practice, and the challenges of real decision-making under uncertainty.

Game FAQs

What is the Samurai Game?

The Samurai Game® is a samurai-themed game blending challenges with spiritual journey elements as a tool to help your team be more of itself as individuals and a team.

How to play?

Is it available in my country?

Who can play the Samurai Game®

Any public games available?

As a certified Samurai Game® facilitator, I can freely deliver the game in any country.

Currently, Shinyu focuses on corporate private games only.

The Samurai Game® is live role place. The only way to play is to book a one day or one-and-a-half day format with a certified Samurai Game® facilitator.

Anybody with an interest to transform their team, themselves as an individual for self-knowledge and personal and team development.

Playing the samurai game felt like stepping into ancient Japan—every detail pulled me deeper into the story.

Ken W.

★★★★★