Embracing Inclusive Leadership in Game Development

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What if the secret to leveling up your game development lies not in technology or graphics, but in embracing inclusive leadership? Imagine a work environment where diverse voices are not just encouraged but are crucial to driving innovation and creativity. This week on Press Start Leadership Podcast, we delve into this game-changing concept, exploring how it can transform your team and the quality of your games. It's not just about creating a more engaging workplace, but also about designing innovative, nuanced games that resonate with a diverse player base.

We walk you through the journey of implementing inclusive leadership, a process that requires a new set of skills, a shift in mindset, and a pledge to continuous improvement. It’s like mastering a challenging combo in a fighting game – tricky but worth the effort. We also arm you with the inclusive leader's toolkit, teaching you how to level up your leadership skills, navigate barriers, and overcome challenges. By the end, you'll understand the wide-reaching benefits of inclusive leadership - from unlocking new levels of innovation and engagement to contributing to a more diverse and inclusive world. So, tune in to this enlightening episode and let's start making a difference together!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Hey there, press starters and welcome to the
press start leadership podcast,the podcast about game changing
leadership, teaching you how toget the most out of your product
and development team and becomethe leader you were meant to be
leadership coaching andtraining for the international
game industry professional.

(00:40):
Now let me introduce you toyour host, the man, the myth,
the legend, christopher Mifsud.

Speaker 2 (00:49):
Hey there, press starters and welcome back to
another awesome edition of thepress start leadership podcast.
On this week's episode, we'llbe discussing embracing
diversity the impact ofinclusive leadership in game
development.
Understanding inclusiveleadership a new level in game
development.
In the high octane world ofgame development, inclusive

(01:11):
leadership can be likened to anessential gameplay mechanic the
one you overlooked at your ownperil, like the strategic combo
in a fighting game or criticalpower up that turns the tide in
a boss battle.
It's something that couldchange the game entirely.
Inclusive leadership is anafflating trend or buzzword, but
an essential component of athriving, dynamic work

(01:31):
environment.
It involves creating a spacewhere diversity of voices,
perspectives and experiences arenot just tolerated but actively
sought out and valued.
It's about ensuring that allmembers of the team feel they
have a stake in the game andthat their contributions are
acknowledged and appreciated.
This kind of leadershipapproach is crucial to driving

(01:51):
innovation, encouragingcreativity and fostering a sense
of belonging among the team.
It's about tapping into thepower of diversity, turning it
into the engine that drives thedevelopment process forward.
The impact of inclusiveleadership game design for
everyone.
Inclusive leadership isn't justgood for team morale.
It's also great for business,as our player base becomes

(02:12):
increasingly diverse, it'sessential that the games we make
reflect that diversity.
Inclusive teams are wellequipped to develop games that
resonate with a broad spectrumof player because they
inherently understand a widerange of player perspectives.
Games developed under inclusiveleadership tend to be more
innovative, more nuanced andmore engaging.

(02:32):
They're better able to avoidharmful stereotypes, provide
players with a wider variety ofexperiences and represent the
breadth of humanity in all itsglorious diversity.
Inclusivity helps to ensurethat our games are made by and
for everyone.
Fostering inclusive leadershipthe game developers guide.
Implementing inclusiveleadership can feel like

(02:54):
stepping into a new genre ofgaming.
It requires a new set of skills, a different way of thinking
and a commitment to continuousimprovement.
But, just like mastering atricky platforming section or
nailing complicated combo, thepayoff is well worth the effort.
The first step is creating anenvironment where everyone feels
safe and encouraged to speaktheir minds.
This might involve something assimple as implementing an

(03:17):
open-door policy or as complexas conducting regular
sensitivity and unconscious biastraining.
In addition, it's important tofoster a culture of recognition
and reward.
Regularly acknowledging andcelebrating the diverse
contributions of your teammembers can help to create a
sense of belonging and mutualrespect.
This could be as simple asshout out during your team
meetings or as formalized inawards program.

(03:38):
Finally, it's critical toestablish clear channels for
feedback and communication.
Providing regular opportunitiesfor team members to voice their
thoughts, concerns andsuggestions can ensure everyone
feels heard and valued.
This can be facilitated throughone-on-one meetings, suggestion
boxes or even anonymous surveys.
That's the first half of ourjourney through the world of

(03:59):
inclusive leadership and gamedevelopment.
The power-up has been acquired,the level design has been
scrutinized and our guide toinclusive leadership is in hand.
Now let's gear up and level upthe second half of our journey
the inclusive leaders toolkitLeveling up leadership skills.
Stepping into the boots of aninclusive leader is an unlike
donning a hero's gear in arole-playing game.

(04:20):
It takes the right tools andabilities and a commitment to
continue leveling up your skills.
One of these critical tools isemotional intelligence.
It's your mana, your magicpower, enabling you to connect
with, understand and respond toyour team's feelings and needs.
Emotional intelligence can helpfoster trust, nurture
creativity and build a resilientteam culture.
Active listening is anothertool that inclusive leaders

(04:44):
should have in their inventory.
It's your dialogue quest thataids in understanding the
perspective of diverse teammembers.
It's not just about hearingwords, but understanding the
context, recognizing nonverbalcues and providing thoughtful
responses.
Empathy, akin to a healingspell, allows leaders to
understand and share thefeelings of their team members.
It is about considering theirexperiences, acknowledging their

(05:06):
challenges and showing genuinecare.
It can help in diffusingconflicts, build strong
relationships and creating anenvironment of understanding and
respect, breaking down barriers, overcoming challenges in
inclusive leadership.
Like a formidable boss battle,implementing inclusive
leadership can come with itschallenges.
Some team members may beresistant to change and there

(05:29):
could be systemic barriers tofostering diversity and
inclusion.
The leader's job is tostrategize and overcome these
obstacles.
Consider it your boss fight.
Leaders may have to confrontbiases both within themselves
and within the team to ensure afair and inclusive environment.
This could involve holdingdifficult conversations, seeking
out training or engaging inself-reflection.

(05:50):
Bias can be a powerful enemy,but with commitment and
self-awareness it can bedefeated.
Another challenge could be thelack of representation within
your team.
If a team is not diverse, itsability to create inclusive and
resonating content can becompromised.
The remedy Consider hiringpractices that promote diversity
and inclusion and seek outtalent that could bring a fresh

(06:10):
perspective to the table.
Winning the game the benefits ofinclusive leadership in the
game industry.
In the final stage of our game,it's time to celebrate the
victory or, in the case ofinclusive leadership, the
benefits.
With an inclusive leadershipstyle, teams can unlock new
levels of innovation, engagementand productivity.
Inclusive leadership can helpattract and retain top talent.

(06:32):
When people feel valued andincluded, they're more likely to
stay with the company and moremotivated to contribute their
best work.
It also broadens the range ofideas, promoting creativity and
innovation, the key ingredientsin game development.
Also, inclusive leadershipcontributes to a positive
company image, appealing todiverse customers and
stakeholders.
The game industry is global anddiverse, and a company that

(06:54):
embodies these values is morelikely to connect with a broad
player base.
Finally, it's about making adifference.
As an inclusive leader, you'llbe contributing to a world where
everyone, regardless of theirbackground, has a fair chance to
participate, contribute andsucceed.
The game of inclusiveleadership can be a challenging
one, full of twists and turns,but with the right mindset and
tools, any leader can navigatethis terrain, because, at the

(07:16):
end of the day, it's about morethan just winning a game.
It's about creating a spacewhere everyone can play and
everyone can win.
And there you have it the deepdive into the world of inclusive
leadership within the gamedevelopment industry.
Whether you're a seasonedindustry veteran or an indie
developer, making your firstgame embracing inclusive
leadership can be a game changer.
So grab your controller, put onyour headset and get ready to

(07:38):
play.
After all, the world ofinclusive leadership is one game
where everyone can be a winner.
Alright, and that's this week'sepisode of Press Start
Leadership Podcast.
Thanks for listening and, asalways, thanks for being awesome
.