My name is Aimee Brock and I am a huge nerd.
Traditionally, Monday mornings have been rough for me – not just because they’re Mondays, uh, or mornings – they’ve been rough because of Game of Thrones.
As a fan of the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin, my Sunday nights have involved a solid hour glued to my television for its HBO adaptation, Game of Thrones. I find the plotting and intrigue cap off my weekend of plotting and intrigue quite nicely.
This epic medieval fantasy has shown incest, beheadings, resurrections, and friggin’ dragons. And, now that I’ve had time to properly digest this latest season, I realized that everything I know about business, I’ve learned from Robb Stark, Heir to Winterfell and King in the North.
SPOILER ALERT: If you aren’t caught up with the third season or finished reading A Storm of Swords stop reading right now. Seriously. It’ll totally ruin it for you and I really don’t need that on my conscience.
Okay, back to Robb Stark. Though his untimely demise in the Red Wedding was shocking, gruesome, and kind-of-a-lot awesome, his story was chock full of really good lessons for any office dweller.
Alas, these lessons came too late to save young Robb Stark. But, hopefully, they’ll help you keep your business head – figuratively and literally:
Keep Your Promises
Well this one should be obvious. In general, things don’t turn out well for oath breakers. The same thing applies in the office: You say you’re going to do something, you’d better damn well do it. While Robb paid for his broken promise with his life, you may end up paying for yours with your job.
People Hold Grudges
A slight is not easily forgiven. Even when you think it is water under the bridge, the offended party may not be so forgiving. So while you’re going about your marry business, the Lord of the Crossing is nursing a little grudge. Every broken promise, delayed response, or excuse helps nourish that little grudge until it grows into a full on blood feud. In business, it works the same way. You ask a favor of someone, be prepared to return the favor.
Use Your Head or Lose Your Head
While following your heart may seem the poetic thing to do, if that’s what’s guiding your decisions, be prepared to have a knife shoved in your belly. You can pay attention to what your gut says, but with a healthy dose of rational thought.
Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer (Because They May Be the Same Thing)
You’re going to a party 1. At the home of a guy you offended, 2. Whose allegiance is questionable at best, 3. With a friend whose sigil is a flayed man. There are so many warning signs here, that it should’ve been called the Red Flag Wedding. While I’m not espousing paranoia in the workplace, treat your office friends well and your office not-quite-friends even better. You never know who will come to your aid when you need it – or who will be twisting the proverbial dagger in your belly.
Don’t Rely on a Good Name Alone
People loved your late father, Ned Stark. And those who didn’t love him, at least respected him. You may think that sharing a last name with someone like that will guarantee a free ride into the real world, but that’s not necessarily the case. Rather than riding someone’s coattails, look to fill their shoes – that is, until you’ve put in the time and earned the right to venture out in your own hard-to-fill shoes.
Winter is Coming
As the motto of House Stark so eloquently states: Winter is Coming. While you should enjoy your feast, always plan for famine. It’s just good business to have a backup plan for when times are lean, difficult, or in a state of transition.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably like Jill of All Trades Aimee Brock and see business lessons all around you. This week, embrace a little nerdery with her and share below in the comments! What GOT lesson is your favorite?