Ever wondered how a simple board game could unlock deep insights about your clients' values and decision-making patterns? The Hexagon Game isn't just another strategic game: it's a powerful coaching tool that reveals how people navigate competing priorities and conflicting values in real-time.
What Is The Hexagon Game?
The Hexagon Game, also known as Surrounder, is played on a grid of blank hexagonal spaces. While it might look like just another strategy game, it's actually a brilliant mirror for how we make decisions when our values come into conflict with each other.
Here's the basic setup: each player places two hexagonal tiles per turn, anywhere on the board. Sounds simple, right? But that's where things get interesting: and where the real coaching magic happens.
The Core Mechanics
The game's capture system creates fascinating decision points that directly parallel real-life value conflicts:
Center Hexagons: When an opponent's piece sits in the center of the board (surrounded by six adjacent spaces), you need four of your tiles to capture it. This represents those big, well-protected goals or values in our lives: the ones that require significant commitment and resources to change or challenge.
Edge Hexagons: Pieces on the board's edge (with four or five adjacent spaces) only need three tiles to capture. Think of these as the values or decisions that are somewhat vulnerable: important, but not as deeply rooted.
Corner Hexagons: Corner pieces (with only two or three adjacent spaces) can be captured with just two tiles. These mirror the values or choices in our lives that feel secure but are actually the most exposed to change.
The instant capture rule adds another layer of complexity. When you successfully surround an opponent's piece, it's removed immediately, and you can use your second move to fill that space. This mechanic beautifully illustrates how addressing one values conflict can immediately create new opportunities: or new conflicts.
Why Values Conflict Matters
Here's where the Hexagon Game becomes more than just entertainment. In coaching, we often see clients struggling with competing values: success vs. family time, security vs. adventure, independence vs. connection. These aren't just abstract concepts: they play out in every major decision we make.
The game creates a safe space to explore these conflicts because the stakes are low, but the patterns are real. Watch how someone plays, and you'll see how they handle:
- Resource allocation (which battles are worth fighting?)
- Risk assessment (when to play it safe vs. when to be aggressive?)
- Long-term vs. short-term thinking (protecting territory vs. expanding influence?)
- Defensive vs. offensive strategies (maintaining what you have vs. going after what you want?)
The Strategic Paradox
One of the most powerful teaching moments in the Hexagon Game comes from its strategic paradox: you can't protect an area simply by walling it off. Even if you think you've secured a section of the board, your opponent can build a strong presence behind your walls in just two moves.
This mirrors a fundamental truth about values conflicts in real life. You can't resolve competing values by simply avoiding the conflict or building walls around your preferred choice. The tension will find a way to resurface, often in unexpected ways.
For example, a client might think they've "solved" their work-life balance issue by strictly compartmentalizing their time. But the underlying values conflict between achievement and family connection doesn't disappear: it just gets pushed into the background until it erupts in a different form.
Observing Decision-Making Patterns
As a coach facilitating the Hexagon Game, pay attention to these revealing behaviors:
The Perfectionist: Spends excessive time analyzing every possible move, trying to find the "right" answer. Often struggles with decisions in life because they're looking for perfect solutions to inherently imperfect value conflicts.
The Impulsive Player: Makes quick moves without considering long-term consequences. May avoid dealing with values conflicts by making rapid decisions and hoping for the best.
The Defensive Player: Focuses primarily on protecting existing pieces rather than expanding. Often represents someone who's conflict-averse and prefers maintaining the status quo rather than exploring new possibilities.
The Aggressive Expander: Always pushing into new territory, sometimes at the expense of protecting what they already have. Might reflect someone who chases new opportunities without considering what they might lose.
Using the Game in Coaching Sessions
The Hexagon Game works best when you frame it as an exploration rather than a competition. Here's how to integrate it into your coaching practice:
Pre-Game Setup: Before starting, have your client identify a current values conflict they're facing. This gives context for observing their gameplay patterns.
During Play: Take notes on their decision-making process. Do they hesitate? Do they second-guess themselves? How do they react to setbacks or unexpected moves from their opponent?
Post-Game Reflection: This is where the real coaching happens. Ask questions like:
- "What did you notice about how you made decisions during the game?"
- "Were there moments when you felt conflicted about your next move?"
- "How does your playing style compare to how you approach the values conflict you mentioned earlier?"
The Power of Metaphor
The Hexagon Game creates a powerful metaphor for values navigation. The board becomes a representation of life's opportunities and constraints. Each tile placement becomes a choice about where to invest energy and attention. The surrounding and capturing mechanics mirror how addressing one aspect of a values conflict can resolve it while potentially creating new challenges.
Clients often have breakthrough moments when they realize their gameplay patterns directly mirror their real-life decision-making. The executive who plays defensively might recognize they're avoiding career risks because they're over-protecting their current security. The entrepreneur who constantly expands their territory might see how they're neglecting important relationships in pursuit of growth.
Advanced Applications
Once your clients are comfortable with the basic game, you can introduce more sophisticated applications:
Role Reversal: Have clients play representing different aspects of their values conflict. If they're torn between career advancement and family time, have them play one game prioritizing each value and notice the difference in their strategies.
Group Dynamics: Use the game with teams or families to explore collective values conflicts. How does the group make decisions when individual values don't align?
Time Horizons: Play shorter games focusing on immediate decisions, then longer strategic games that mirror long-term values alignment.
Making It Practical
The real value of the Hexagon Game isn't in becoming a better player: it's in developing better self-awareness around decision-making. Encourage clients to notice when they feel the same tensions in real life that they experience during the game.
The goal isn't to eliminate values conflicts (they're actually essential for growth) but to navigate them more consciously. The game provides a low-stakes environment to practice decision-making skills that transfer directly to life's more significant choices.
Integration and Follow-Up
After using the Hexagon Game in coaching sessions, help clients connect their insights to real-world applications. Create action plans that acknowledge their natural decision-making patterns while introducing new strategies they discovered during gameplay.
The Hexagon Game isn't just a coaching tool: it's a mirror that reflects how we navigate the complex landscape of competing values and priorities. By playing it mindfully, your clients can develop greater self-awareness and more effective strategies for handling the inevitable conflicts that come with living an intentional life.
