It was ~4 years ago that I looked up on the internet how to solve a Rubik’s cube. Until then the Rubik’s cube was a mere cube to me, it was no stranger but I had never attempted in learning to solve it. I used to pretend to be able to find a solution to solve it by randomly twisting and turning it and the nearest I must have gotten to solving it might have been few colors matched.

However 4 years ago I watched the “Speed Cubers” documentary on Netflix and only then did I realise that there was a methodical way to solve it. Shortly after watching it I looked up on the internet and attempted at solving it. I thought: How hard can this be? It took me a few days until I could solve it.

A few twists later, I realized it’s not about luck or random moves, it’s about having a system, patience, and the willingness to rethink your approach.

Just like a Rubik’s Cube, leadership is less about speed and more about discipline, persistence, and adaptability.

Fast forward to today, I picked up the idle Rubik’s Cube again last week, refreshed my memory of its algorithms, and have been solving it every day just for fun. I am currently on my sixth day of writing streak, and as I pondered what to write about today, I asked ChatGPT, “What are some leadership lessons to learn from a Rubik’s Cube challenge?” I received an instant reply: “That’s a great metaphor to work with—solving a Rubik’s Cube is filled with lessons that parallel leadership.”

For me, leadership has never been about rushing to the solution. It’s about building the right frameworks, creating clarity for others, and staying resilient when things look messy in the middle.

The Rubik’s Cube sits on my desk as a quiet reminder: every “impossible” challenge can be solved with patience, discipline, and the right mindset.

And that’s exactly what leadership feels like!

• 👉 You need a clear vision (the solved cube).
• 👉 You break down complexity into smaller steps (layer by layer).
• 👉 You sometimes take one step back to move two steps forward (short-term sacrifices for long-term wins).
• 👉 You can’t rely on improvisation forever; systems and frameworks get you there.
• 👉 And most importantly, you celebrate small wins, because each aligned layer builds confidence.

Clarity

Rubik’s cube has a solved state which represents clarity. A leader must have clarity about the problem they are solving, be able to envision it, communicate it and most importantly be able to solve it.

Problem-Solving

Once you know the problem you attempt to solve it. A Rubik’s cube isn’t solved all at once but broken down into multiple smaller problems and solved layer by layer.

Leaders tackle complex challenges by breaking them into achievable milestones.

Trial and Error

You rarely solve the cube on your first try; it requires persistence.

Leadership isn’t about quick wins, but about resilience through trial and error.

Systems Thinking

Random twists won’t solve the cube; you need algorithms. Cube algorithms are learned, practiced, and taught.

Adaptability

Sometimes your previous move doesn’t work, and you need to try a different algorithm. Leaders must adapt their strategies when circumstances change. Read more about change management in my previous post

Keep Calm Under Pressure

Frustration leads to mistakes when solving the cube. Leaders who stay calm under stress inspire confidence in their teams.

Multiple Paths to Success

There’s more than one way to solve a cube. In leadership, there are multiple strategies to reach the same goal; flexibility matters.

Celebrate Small Wins

Solving the first side or layer gives motivation to continue. Leaders who acknowledge progress keep morale high and momentum strong.

Next time you see a cube, remember:

Behind every “impossible” problem lies a solvable system.