Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from Close Action

At yesterday's game, the story was told of a player who'd said that as he'd played Close Action over the years, not only had he become a better player, but he'd also learned things through the game which helped him become a better section leader at work. Now, improving your life through a game of Napoleonic era warships seems far fetched, but here are twelve lessons you could learn from Close Action:

• You need to know your objective, and you need to have a plan to achieve it.
• Be flexible, because things won't go the way you expected.
• Allow people room for mistakes...lots of room.
• If you want to avoid getting hurt, be cautious; but if you want to win big, be bold.
• Life is dangerous and you're going to need help. Stay close to your friends.
• A "smart idea" is often idiotic over the long term. Use foresight about more than the next ten minutes.
• Concentrated effort succeeds faster.
• Learn to read minds. Figure out what people mean, not just what they say.
• Do what your friends are counting on you to do.
• The best choice of leader may change with the situation, but you always need one.
• Avoid giving an enemy a free shot at your stern.
• If you're going to depend on someone, you should learn their temperament and capabilities.