NPC: Epic, man
At least ten of these people have a side quest for you.
The original version of this article appeared on my LinkedIn account.
This is an appreciation post.
Here’s to those who feel like they’re in the background, those who end up repeating themselves over and over and over, and those who don’t get the glory when – damn it, they helped out too! Congratulations, you’re an NPC on someone else’s journey!
In video games, the Non-Playable Character (NPC) is an extremely valuable resource. They point you in the right direction, give you bits of info that turn into full-blown quests, sell you the goods you need to keep going, and bring deeper world immersion.
The NPC plays a limitless variety of roles: quest-giver, mentor, shop keep, The Boss, migraine escort mission, townsperson who loves fishing and oh hey, here’s a nice new rod for you…
Spoiler alert: there is nothing wrong with being in the background. I believe that unleashing your Inner NPC is both valuable to your workforce and necessary to keep you sane.
Many times, our professional role has us working in the background, providing structure and actioning in ways most of our colleagues and executives will never see. And what’s the result? A smooth experience for others. Sometimes working in the background is a little lonely, but ultimately, someone’s day is easier because of you. A crisis never reached fruition because you were there.
And you’re not in the spotlight. The Hero might trot on by during their Journey, not realizing you’ve paved a way or set up just the right perimeters so they stay focused, alert, and in motion. For those like me who value direct praise and recognition, this can be difficult at times. I do, though, believe there can be a bit of zen when it comes to doing your thing quietly in the background.
When you’re the Hero 24/7, the one always in the spotlight showcasing your skills and saving kingdoms left and right in the business world, you burn out. In a previous post, I talked about the importance of balancing your party – and you’re part of that equation. Call it self-care, call it balance, call it inner zen, but when I’m staring burnout right in the face, I have to switch to my inner NPC mode. In a global workplace that focuses on constant, continuous improvement, rampant innovation, and aggressive evolution, that inner NPC mode helps me conserve mental and emotional energy to keep going.
Inner NPC mode says it’s okay to show up, work quietly in the background, behind the scenes, and do your work well. Period.
You don’t craft a new process every day, you don’t overhaul your time management structure, and you don’t hang a “look at the 25 things I revolutionized today before lunch” banner over your head.
And. That. Is. Okay.
You are valuable. When you don’t have the mental strength to be in the spotlight, you are still highly valued. There’s an art to being an NPC and when you’ve had the rest, clarity, and insight needed to refresh, you can pick up your sword again and continue providing value in your signature way.
The danger lies in becoming complacent. Engaging your Inner NPC does not equal being complacent. Once your Inner NPC overtakes your long-term drive to evolve, you stagnate. That zen turns into laziness. Here, being behind the scenes ends up with you being forgotten – and forgettable. It’s critical to recognize Inner NPC mode as a state of gentle flow that preserves you, not one that allows you to do the bare minimum to collect your paycheck, wallow in mediocrity, and then act surprised when you’re not taken seriously as hardworking professional looking to elevate your career. Harsh? Yes, but so was White Mask Varre when he rubbed it in your face that were Maidenless at the start of Elden Ring and you turned out fine? …Right?
Bonus fun: check out the Epic NPC Man videos from Viva La Dirt League on YouTube.
Bonus pet peeve: those NPCs in games that move slower than my character runs but faster than I walk.