RPGs have always made me want to better myself as well as be a part of a team composed of unstoppable experts.

Today in corporateamericaland, I still get the occasional raised eyebrow when I compare performance reviews, career development plans, and action plans to "character sheets".

My obsession probably started with Dragon Warrior on the Nintendo. Who doesn't get a high of accomplishment each time you hit the requisite amount of experience points to level up? After slaying the Dragonlord (thank you, Sword of Erdrick and the Healmore spell), I returned to my last save (remember that in-cartdridge battery backup anyone?) and just could't stop replaying until I maxed out. I explored every pixel of Alefgard and collected every piece of magical weapon and armor. I'd return to the desert town of Harksness to fight the boss knight there to rack up on gold and EXP. Incidentally, in seventh grade, I even wrote an extensive fanfic piece on the people of Harksness prior to the Dragonlord's decimation of the land. When Dragon Warrior II was released in the US, now I had not just me, but an entire TEAM of wizards and warriors to level? I found quickly that as much fun it had been to quest around solo in the first Dragon Warrior, I could now have a white mage accumulate healing spells (even though she got the shaft...literally..when it came to weapons--but the staff shot out lightning in combat so that was one redeeming factor) while two warrior class characters worked on tracking down the mightiest of arms and armor. Now having a compelling team (not to mention the hours of my life lost max-leveling all of them) was not just a challenge, but an expectation, a validation of the shot at success.

That's why these days, whenever I glance upon a certification opportunity or I step into a room with multi-functional experts, each of them masters in their disciplines, I can almost hear the MIDI theme song of Dragon Warrior in the background. Lots of incredible mentors and colleagues have helped me and guided me towards the career successes that I've had up to this point and I owe my competitive wins in the industrial landscape to their awesome support.

Whenever I step into a conference room to take on the fire of the day, I think misty-eyed about Alefgard and smiling blue slimes. "May the lights shine upon thee." King Lorik would say to you just before you departed on your quest in the Dragon Warrior realm.

I feel fortunate that they truly have.