Lessons on Growth from the Smartest Underdog

After watching Game of Thrones, one character left a lasting impression on me 'Tyrion Lannister.'

He wasn't the strongest, the most respected, or the most celebrated, but he was sharp. He was intentional. He used what he had and made it work for him.

And from watching his journey, I picked up lessons that I believe every brand owner, business leader, and creative should carry along their path.

Today, I want to share those lessons with you not just as a fan of the series, but as someone who is also building, learning, and showing up every day with purpose.

1. Always Be Willing to Learn

Tyrion said it best: “A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone.”
He understood that growth doesn’t happen by accident.

If you want to stay sharp, you must keep learning. Not just to impress others, but to equip yourself for what lies ahead.

In business and branding, the rules keep changing. If you stop learning, you fall behind.

2. Knowledge Means Nothing Without Application

Tyrion didn’t just read for the sake of it. He applied it on the battlefield, in negotiation rooms, in moments of tension and survival.

It’s easy to attend courses, read books, and watch videos, but if you’re not applying what you’re learning to your brand or business, you’re just consuming.

Start where you are. Apply what you already know. That’s how real growth begins.

3. Strategy Over Emotion

There were many scenes where Tyrion was insulted, excluded, or misunderstood. But he rarely reacted out of emotion. He used strategy to stay in control.

As creatives and entrepreneurs, this lesson is gold. We must learn to respond, not react. To pause, think, and then move.

Being strategic doesn’t mean being cold. It means staying focused on the bigger goal.

4. Know Your Strength and Use It Well

Tyrion knew his strength wasn’t in physical combat. It was in his mind, his wit, his words, his understanding of people.

Instead of trying to compete where he was weak, he doubled down on where he was strong.

Your strength might be in design, storytelling, strategy, or leadership. Own it. Develop it. Use it.

5. Speak with Confidence, Even When You Feel Small

Tyrion never let his size or lack of approval stop him from speaking up. He understood his voice mattered and he used it well.

As a creative or business owner, there will be days you feel invisible. Times you feel like your work doesn’t matter. Speak anyway.

Show up anyway. Confidence is not pretending you have it all together.
It’s believing that what you bring still matters, even as you’re growing.

Final Thoughts

Tyrion may be a fictional character, but his wisdom is real.
He reminds us that growth doesn’t come from status. It comes from learning, applying, and staying true to your unique strengths.

So today, ask yourself:

• Are you learning something new?
• Are you applying what you already know?
• Are you letting fear stop you from showing up?

Your growth won’t always be loud. But it will be real. And that’s what truly lasts.