Clue-inspired Leader Games challenges Bobcats to lead, solve, escape

When asked to solve a mystery about a missing Bobcat statue at 花季传媒, several campus sleuths were on the case鈥攐r at least, eight student teams were.

On Feb. 14, those teams competed in the 2025 Leader Games, a Clue-inspired escape room challenge designed to test leadership, teamwork and quick thinking. Their mission was to figure out who took the statue, how it was done and where it ended up鈥攁ll within a strict 60-minute time limit.

Before entering the room, teams had 15 minutes in a strategy session to plan their approach. Then, the countdown began. To 鈥渂reak out,鈥� participants had to solve four interconnected puzzles鈥攔anging from rebus clues and cube challenges to spot-the-difference images and combination locks.

A familiar cast of suspects

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Adding a playful twist this year, the game鈥檚 characters were modeled after recognizable 花季传媒 leaders from across campus, reimagined with a Clue-style flair. Figures such as President Pearl and Provost Plum, along with other familiar faces from the College of Business and throughout the campus, were woven into the mystery as suspects in the case of the missing statue.

Only three teams managed to crack the case in time. Those teams successfully discovered that the missing Bobcat statue was hidden inside Baker University Center鈥攁nd the guilty suspect? None other than Professor Plaid.

Team Canada took first place鈥攚inning the Leader Games for the second consecutive year鈥攆ollowed by Team SAB in second and Team ISAP in third.

After completing the challenge (or running out of time), all teams participated in a debrief session to reflect on their initial strategies and how they evolved.

鈥淏eing on the hockey team helped with communication,鈥� said a member of Team Canada. 鈥淏ut if I were playing with a different group, like my academic cluster, I might have made different decisions. It showed me how much your team makeup influences your approach.鈥�

Leadership that鈥檚 hands-on鈥攁nd campus-wide

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The Leader Games Challenge, designed by Amy Toth, director of learning and development at the Walter Center for Strategic Leadership, is part of the center鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning across campus. Dr. Kim Jordan also implemented a hybrid version in her Strategic Leadership Onboarding class, where students used her SOLVE framework鈥擲et roles, Outline the problem, List alternatives, Veer toward consensus, and Evaluate results.

The SOLVE Framework

S 鈥� Set roles
O 鈥� Outline the problem
L 鈥� List alternatives
V 鈥� Veer toward consensus
E 鈥� Evaluate results

鈥淭he idea is to plant this acronym in the back of your mind,鈥� Jordan explained. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e problem-solving in a group, it鈥檚 easy to rush to a solution. But the most effective teams take a step back and think through their options.鈥�

The College of Business Deans Suite also joined in on the fun, participating as a team-building and communication exercise. The group included Dean Diamond (Dean Jackie Reese Ulmer), Professor Plaid (Associate Dean Jim Strode), Associate Dean Gabe Giordano, Jessica Creamer, and Jessie Holtz. Their participation highlighted the importance of leadership and collaboration at every level of the University.

Leadership lessons under pressure

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Whether escaping from a locked room or collaborating virtually, one theme was clear: the ticking clock created a sense of urgency that simulated real-world leadership challenges.

鈥淭he time stress was intense,鈥� one participant said. 鈥淏ut it reminded me of what it鈥檚 like to work on a deadline or make decisions quickly under pressure.鈥�

Through programs like the Leader Games, the Walter Center is helping Bobcats become not only better problem solvers but also more adaptable, empathetic and strategic leaders.