Lord Varys — The Art of Analysis & Politics
Lessons from the Game of Thrones
The world of corporate analytics can be a very political place. It is a bit of a stretch to compare it to George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world of Westeros, but this analogy can serve you well. Besides, what could be better than a Game of Thrones analogy?
We Could Add Bacon…
Everything is better with Bacon and the former Lord Chancellor provides us with a great real world connection. Knowledge is power.
When dealing with political intrigue and upheaval, this is important to remember. Analysts, as collectors and creators of knowledge, will always be viewed with a wary or opportunistic eye when politics is in full swing. Analysts who fail to be thoughtful of their surroundings and the Game others are playing will quickly find themselves on the outside.
The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling. — Lord Varys
The character of Lord Varys from the Game of Thrones makes an excellent role model for some important lessons. Varys is an intelligent strategist. He is a man of great knowledge and influence. Most of all Varys is a survivor. Below are five of his most important lessons:
#1 Collect Intelligence
Varys is the Master of Whispers. He has a network of spies through out the realm. These Little Birds, as he calls them, provide him with a vast array of data and insights on the comings and goings of the kingdom. This information makes The Spider (he also collects nicknames) both formidable and indispensable. He will use many of his remaining lessons to keep others focused mostly on the latter.
#2 Identify Good Allies
Varys serves as councilor to many leaders of the Seven Kingdoms, but he only seeks out a handful on his own. Those he selects are unique among their peers. They are thoughtful, just, and mostly honorable.
There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man. — Lord Varys
It is also important to note that these allies come and go. Varys accepts that the situation he finds himself in is a dangerous one. Despite his best intentions and efforts, allies are lost. He is careful not to put too much hope into any alliance.
I don’t believe in saviors. I believe men of talent have a part to play in the war to come. — Lord Varys
#3 Keep Your Agenda Mysterious
Neither the audience members nor the other characters of Westeros are quite sure what Varys’ agenda is. This was especially true early in the series. Has he chosen a side? When he is directly questioned, he always remains both neutral and somewhat mysterious.
[I serve] the realm my lord, someone must. — Lord Varys
This is an important lessons for analysts to learn. An analyst who boldly projects an agenda is going to create enemies and critics. Those enemies will view the analyst as a threat and a source of competing power to be removed. However, the critics will likely be more dangerous. Critics will RIGHTLY assert that an analyst with an agenda is probably bias and possibly untrustworthy when it comes to providing insight.
#4 Appear Mostly Harmless
Agendas can be dangerous for analysts, but so too are ambitions. If your opponents can’t pin down your agenda, they will assume it is self-serving. They will accuse you of doing things for your own advancement or as a means to win influence.
Varys has an ill-gained gift when it comes to appearing mostly harmless. In the Game of Thrones, children, heirs, and marriages are incredibly important to the ambitions of the houses of the Seven Kingdoms. Varys, as a eunuch, can not compete with others on this front. It is an aspect which encourages many to overlook him.
Clearly, that is not something that analysts can model, at least not literally. What analysts can model is Varys’ commitment to service. As a servant to the high lords, Varys is able to downplay his personal ambitions and provide benefits and value to all his patrons.
#5 Know When To Leave
As we close this article, you may be thinking — Why would anyone want to deal with all of this political nonsense? To some extent, it is unavoidable. There is some level of politics in every analytic setting and failing to note these lessons will only amplify them.
But sometimes, it really is too much. Varys offers us one final lesson. You need to know when it is time to leave. Some organizations (or kingdoms) simply can’t get out of their own way. Politics, and the bureaucracy that always results, paralyze the organization and make the role of analysts meaningless. At this point, it is time to leave. Pack up your funny little imp and take the next boat to Mereen… just don’t believe the politics will actually end.
Tyrion: I still don’t see why I had to stay in this f***ing crate once we set sail.
Lord Varys: I saved your life. If they catch you, they catch me. I cannot say I feel overly guilty about leaving you in that f***ing crate.
