In the world of HBO’s The Last of Us, survival hinges on connection. Amid the haunting backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world, the series introduces us to a startlingly insightful concept: the interconnected mycelial network of the Cordyceps fungus. This network, while terrifying in its capacity to communicate threats across vast distances, also offers a profound metaphor for how organizations can thrive by embracing networked collaboration.
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic game and drama television series adapted from the game. It finally hit our TV screens and has become a global phenomenon. The TV series is set twenty years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, which causes its hosts to transform into zombie-like creatures and causes the collapse of society. The new TV adaptation, has former Game of Thrones stars Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie) leading the cast. It aired on Sky Atlantic (UK) in January 2023 and runs until March.
As organizations navigate their own landscapes of complexity and uncertainty, the lessons from both The Last of Us and the natural world remind us that our success isn’t determined by rigid hierarchies but by our ability to create dynamic, adaptive networks. Let’s explore how the principles of mycelial networks—and the drama they inspire—can inform our approaches to fostering cross-functional collaboration.
It’s not the first time I’ve explored the mycelial networked world, check out my earlier post Building the Future: Cross-Functional Collaboration Inspired by Mycelial Networks
1. The Power of Connection
In The Last of Us, the Cordyceps network enables instantaneous communication, signaling threats and opportunities. Similarly, organizations thrive when departments, teams, and individuals are interconnected, sharing information freely.
How to apply it:
- Invest in enterprise collaboration platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Yammer.
- Create open communication channels where information flows transparently, just like signals in a mycelial network.
- Break down siloes by forming cross-functional teams with diverse expertise.
2. Adapting to a Chaotic Environment
The show’s protagonists, Joel and Ellie, repeatedly adapt their strategies to survive shifting threats. The Cordyceps network thrives not because it’s rigid, but because it’s flexible and adaptive.
How to apply it:
- Encourage adaptive leadership where decision-making is decentralized, empowering teams to respond swiftly to changes.
- Use Agile frameworks like Scrum or Kanban to enable iterative progress and responsiveness.
- Adopt Lean practices like small batch work and continuous feedback to navigate uncertainty.
3. Psychological Safety in High-Stakes Scenarios
Ellie and Joel form a bond rooted in trust—a necessity in their dangerous world. Similarly, psychological safety is foundational for teams to innovate and collaborate effectively without fear of failure or judgment.
How to apply it:
- Cultivate environments where diverse perspectives are valued, and mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn.
- Run blameless retrospectives to focus on improvement, not fault.
- Model vulnerability as a leader by sharing lessons learned and encouraging openness.
4. The Strength of the Network
In The Last of Us, the Cordyceps network demonstrates the resilience and power of a system built on connections. If one part of the network faces a challenge, the whole system adjusts.
How to apply it:
- Build internal Communities of Practice where employees across departments share insights and solve problems collaboratively.
- Use network analysis tools to identify gaps in organizational connections and strengthen weak links.
- Experiment with dynamic re-teaming, allowing team compositions to shift based on priorities and opportunities.
5. Rewarding the Collective Effort
Survival in The Last of Us often comes down to teamwork. Similarly, organizations that recognize and reward collaborative behaviors see greater engagement and innovation.
How to apply it:
- Celebrate cross-functional team successes in town halls or enterprise social platforms.
- Redefine performance metrics to include collaboration and contribution to shared goals.
- Recognize informal leaders who act as connectors within the organization.
The Mycelial Network as a Business Metaphor
The Cordyceps network may be a harbinger of doom in The Last of Us, but its real-world counterpart, the mycelial network, offers inspiration for building resilient, adaptive organizations. Mycelial networks thrive by distributing resources, sharing information, and adapting quickly—qualities every organization needs in today’s complex environment.
Like Joel and Ellie, who learn to navigate an unpredictable world by leaning on trust and adaptability, your teams can achieve incredible things by fostering a networked approach. Empower them with the tools, culture, and leadership they need to connect, share, and collaborate—because, in the end, our survival, whether in business or a post-apocalyptic wasteland, depends on how well we work together.
Bringing It Home
If you’re ready to embrace the interconnected potential of your organization, start small. Encourage knowledge sharing, flatten hierarchies, and adopt collaborative platforms. Whether you’re fending off fungal threats (unlikely) or tackling market competition (highly likely), the lesson is clear: connection is strength, and collaboration is survival.
What’s your organization’s Cordyceps network? And how can you harness it for good? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Inspired by the lessons of HBO’s The Last of Us and mycelial networks, this article reflects my experiences over the last 2-decades fostering cross-functional collaboration and networked, adaptive thinking in organizations. It’s future thinking, let’s build it, together.
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