Why You Should Be Using Leaderboards

Leaderboards are a staple of gamification, used across sports, games, and now, even for social and environmental impact. At its core, a leaderboard is a ranked list of participants based on performance. You can amplify its power with additional gamification features like star ratings, progress bars, badges, or awards. These enhancements not only make the leaderboard more engaging but also motivate participants to improve their ranking.

Why Leaderboards Work

Leaderboards work because they combine social competition with transparency. A study found that adding leaderboards to an online learning program resulted in students engaging with the material 30 times more often than those without leaderboards. The motivating factor isn’t necessarily competition alone but the transparency of information—showing progress, setting goals, and making data visible to everyone.

This means leaderboards aren't just about rivalry. They’re about making performance data clear and actionable. Think of them as a tool for driving accountability, inspiring self-improvement, and encouraging collaboration.

What You Need to Build a Leaderboard

1. Data: You’ll need measurable data tied to your cause. This is the foundation of any leaderboard and ensures you’re focusing on real-world impact. Surprisingly, many campaigns fail because they lack clear data or don’t measure their results effectively.
2. Players: Decide who your players are. They could be individuals, teams, cities, schools, corporations, or neighborhoods. Understanding your audience will help you tailor the leaderboard for maximum engagement.

Examples of Impactful Leaderboards

A Leaderboard for Vegan Cities

Imagine ranking cities by their per-capita meat consumption. At the top, you’d have the "veggie-est" cities, and at the bottom, the "death-liest." Such a leaderboard could inspire communities and policymakers to adopt more plant-based initiatives. Oklahoma City’s 1 Million Pounds campaign is a real-world example of how city rankings can galvanize collective action.

Leaderboards for Schools

If you’re working with schools, consider a “Zero Waste Schools” leaderboard. By measuring the waste generated by each school and ranking them, you provide clear goals and accountability. Schools at the bottom of the list will likely implement changes to improve their standing—whether through better recycling programs or reduced single-use plastics.

Leaderboards for Apartment Buildings

Picture a beautifully designed screen in the foyer of an apartment building displaying each unit’s energy consumption. Apartments with lower energy use are highlighted in green, while high-consumption units are in red. This public display not only motivates residents to save energy but also fosters a sense of community effort.

How to Supercharge Your Leaderboard

• Frequent Updates: Regularly update scores to maintain momentum and keep participants engaged.
• Public Display: Place your leaderboard in a highly visible location, share it on social media, or include it in press releases.
• Progress Bars: Add progress bars to show how close participants are to achieving specific goals.
• Star Ratings and Badges: Reward participants with stars, badges, or awards for reaching milestones.
• Color Coding: Use colors to create visual impact—green for high performers, yellow for those improving, and red for underperformers.

Why Leaderboards Are So Effective

Leaderboards tap into fundamental human psychology:

1. Transparency: Public data drives accountability and action.
2. Social Comparison: People naturally want to outperform their peers.
3. Goal Setting: Leaderboards provide clear benchmarks for improvement.
4. Recognition: Players are motivated by the desire to be seen as good in the eyes of others.
5. Shame Avoidance: No one wants to be at the bottom of the list.

The Bigger Picture

Leaderboards are just one of many tools in the gamification toolkit, but they’re incredibly effective. By simply measuring performance, ranking participants, and making the results public, you can create a ripple effect of change. This approach doesn’t require micromanaging every step. Instead, it leverages transparency and social accountability to drive action.

We’re only scratching the surface of how gamification can transform environmental and social causes. By applying leaderboards and other techniques, we can motivate people, schools, cities, and businesses to take meaningful steps toward change.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out my video course, Save the World with Gamification, where I delve into 15 powerful gamification techniques. The potential is enormous, and it’s up to us to tap into it.

‍