Teaching leadership theory with television: Useful lessons from Game of Thrones

There has been a rise in scholarship on using prime-time television as an educational tool for teaching opportunities that link theory to practice in a Master of Public Administration (MPA) classroom. However, one topic that has not been explored but would benefit from using television is leadership. This article explores the use of HBO's Game of Thrones as a source of teaching content ripe with useful lessons in leadership. Content analysis of the series' 73 episodes identified 89 leadership scenarios that can be used as examples or case studies in which leadership theories and models can be identified, applied, and generate classroom discussion. Four specific examples on the utility of leadership case studies are presented in this article to highlight a select number of leadership theories and models commonly taught in an MPA leadership curriculum. They include the skills approach to leadership, authentic and transformational leadership, and gender and leadership.