What Squid Game 2 Can Teach Us About Team Dynamics

We were excited about the return of Red Light, Green Light in Squid Game season 2, as it remains one of the most iconic games from the first season. In this deadly twist on the classic children’s game, players must race to the finish line within a set time. They’re allowed to move when the towering robotic doll, Young-hee, calls out Green Light, but must freeze instantly when she switches to Red Light. Anyone caught moving during Red Light is eliminated.

But with Gi-hun’s (Player 456) return to the games, having survived this deadly challenge before, he takes on a guiding role, advising fellow contestants on strategies to increase their chances of survival. For instance, Gi-hun suggests that players position themselves behind larger individuals to obscure their movements from the motion-detecting sensors, thereby reducing the risk of detection during the Red Light.

The game offers a striking example of how in real-world teams, an experienced leader can impact a team’s dynamics. Team members with prior experience in a task often naturally step into a mentorship role. This kind of leadership brings clear benefits: experienced leaders can quickly assess risks, identify effective strategies and share insights that help less experienced team members navigate challenges. Research in organisational behaviour shows that experienced leaders can boost team confidence, reduce anxiety and foster a sense of collective purpose, especially during uncertain or high-stakes situations.

Additionally, Gi-hun’s approach reflects a key principle of team dynamics: collaborative problem-solving can emerge even in competitive settings. When a leader openly shares their knowledge, it encourages trust and mutual reliance among team members. By prioritising guidance and teamwork over self-interest, experienced leaders demonstrate that fostering collaboration can be a powerful tool, even when stakes are high.

Do you think you would have survived Red Light, Green Light without someone like Gi-hun leading the way?

The Six-Legged Pentathlon is a new team-based game in Squid Game season 2. This is the moment Gi-hun realises that the games won’t be the same as his previous experience. In this game, five players have their legs tied together, forcing them to move as a single unit. Each team must navigate through five traditional Korean mini-games that test their coordination, strategy and timing. The games include Ddakji (flipping paper cards), Flying Stone (knocking over stones), Gonggi (tossing and catching knucklebones), Paengi Chigi (spinning top) and Jegi (similar to hacky sack). The added difficulty of being physically connected makes the challenge even more intense, as each team member’s movements directly affect the others. To succeed, the team must complete all five games within the time limit or face elimination.

The physical connection of the players’ legs highlights the importance of coordination, trust and communication in teamwork. As they struggle to synchronise, it mirrors the challenges real-life teams face when working on complex tasks.

In the show, when Player 001 struggles to launch the spinning top several times, the tension mounts. But the team encourages him, demonstrating the importance of support and morale in high-stress situations. This moment highlights how, in real-life teams, fostering a positive environment where members encourage one another can make a huge difference, especially when facing setbacks. Just like in the game, real teams often rely on collaboration and emotional support to keep motivation high and ensure collective success.

The game also illustrates the concept of shared responsibility. In both the show and real teams, the success or failure of one member can impact the entire group, underscoring the need for mutual support and a collective effort.

Did you notice how Gi-hun prioritised everyone else’s input when choosing the game they wanted to play? That’s a great example of a leader putting others first, which helps build trust and a strong team dynamic.

Mingle is another brand-new game in Squid Game season 2 that was just as thrilling as it was tense to watch. Is the Korean children’s song “Ring-a-ring-a-ring” still lingering in your minds, too? In Mingle, players start on a rotating platform, which suddenly halts when the music stops to reveal a number. They then have 30 seconds to form a group of exactly that number and enter one of the surrounding rooms. If they fail to form the correct group size or get into a room within the time limit, they’re eliminated.

This game emphasises the critical importance of quick decision-making, effective communication and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. The intense pressure and the necessity for precise coordination among team members highlight the complexities of group dynamics under extreme stress.

The game starts with players trying to strategise, remembering similar games from their childhood. But the reality of the game is far more unpredictable than they anticipated. In the chaos that follows, many players struggle to adapt to the fast pace and pressure, showing how, in real-life team situations, even the best-prepared teams can be caught off guard by unforeseen challenges.

An interesting turn occurs when Player 001, recognising that his team has more members than needed, sacrifices himself and leaves his group to find another team. This act of selflessness demonstrates a deeper understanding of team dynamics and how sometimes individual sacrifice is necessary for the greater good of the team. In real-life teams, leaders or team members willing to make these sacrifices for the benefit of the group can often ensure that the team stays intact and moves forward.

Squid Game season 2 has been an exciting rollercoaster, diving deep into the chaos, challenges and victories that come with working as a team under pressure. It’s evident how important trust, clear communication and strong leadership really are.

As we look forward to season 3, we can’t help but imagine what new, intense challenges the players will face. But until then, why not find out how your team would handle a challenge like this – in a fun and safe way – with our corporate team building event?