June 2, 2025 • 19 mins
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Navigating leadership in the video game industry demands a unique blend of creativity, technical expertise, and business acumen. Yet even the most experienced studio heads and senior producers face challenges that test their skills and resilience. The solution? A strategic partnership with a mentor who understands the industry's unique pressures and opportunities.
Mentorship transforms game development leadership by providing guidance that accelerates learning curves and helps both emerging and established leaders navigate complex challenges. Whether you're an ambitious lead designer, newly promoted producer, or veteran studio owner, the right mentor can dramatically shorten your path to success while helping you avoid costly mistakes others have already made.
The benefits extend far beyond general advice. A seasoned video game industry mentor provides accelerated skill development through shared best practices, expands your professional network through strategic introductions, enhances your strategic perspective beyond immediate deadlines, offers crucial emotional support during high-pressure periods, and transfers institutional knowledge that no manual could ever capture. This combination of tangible and intangible benefits creates a competitive advantage that's difficult to achieve through any other professional development method.
Finding the right mentor requires clarity about your goals, strategic networking, and thoughtful outreach. This episode walks you through defining your mentorship objectives, identifying potential mentors with relevant experience, establishing productive relationship frameworks, and implementing advanced strategies like reciprocal mentorship and mastermind circles. We also tackle common challenges like time constraints and misaligned expectations, providing actionable solutions to ensure your mentorship remains valuable over time.
Ready to transform your leadership journey? Take the first step today by mapping your mentorship goals and reaching out to potential mentors. Your future self—and your team—will thank you for investing in this powerful professional relationship.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Press Start Leadership.
Hey there, press Starters andwelcome to the Press Start
(00:23):
Leadership Podcast, the podcastabout game-changing leadership,
teaching you how to get the mostout of your product and
development team and become theleader you were meant to be.
Leadership coaching andtraining for the international
game industry professional.
Now let me introduce you toyour host, the man, the myth,
(00:46):
the legend.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Christopher Mifsud.
Hey there, press Starters andwelcome back to another awesome
edition of the Press StartLeadership Podcast.
On this week's episode, we'llbe discussing why every video
game industry leader needs amentor, harnessing a video game
industry mentor for strategicgrowth, unlock leadership,
mentorship benefits and provensteps for finding a mentor in
(01:14):
game development.
Leadership in the video gameindustry demands a unique
combination of creativity,technical expertise and business
acumen.
Yet even the most seasonedstudio heads and senior
producers encounter challengesthat test their skills and
resilience.
This is where a video gameindustry mentor becomes
invaluable.
A mentor provides guidance,accelerates learning and helps
(01:37):
emerging and established leadersnavigate the complexities of
game development, team dynamicsand career progression.
Game development, team dynamicsand career progression Whether
you're an ambitious leaddesigner, a newly promoted
producer or a veteran studioowner, seeking leadership
mentorship can transform yourprofessional journey.
In this podcast, we'll explorewhy every video game industry
(01:59):
leader needs a mentor, detailthe benefits of having a game
development mentor and offerstep-by-step advice on finding a
mentor in game development.
The benefits of mentorship forvideo game leaders.
Mentorship brings manifoldadvantages, particularly in an
industry as multifaceted asvideo games.
To follow are the primary waysa video game industry mentor can
(02:24):
accelerate your success.
Accelerated skill developmentTime to proficiency can make or
break a game developmentstudio's competitiveness.
A mentor with deep industryexperience can share best
practices in productionpipelines, engine optimizations
and cross-disciplinary workflows.
Offer personalized feedback onyour leadership approach,
(02:47):
helping you refine communication, project management and
creative decision-making.
Provide real-world examples ofhow they overcame challenges,
saving you months or even yearsof trial and error.
Expanded professional networkConnections matter in the video
game industry, whether you'reseeking talent, publishers or
partnerships.
A seasoned mentor can makeintroductions to key industry
(03:10):
contacts, publishers, platformholders and vendor partners.
Advocate for you at conferencesand networking events, opening
doors that might otherwiseremain closed.
Guide you on effective networkstrategies, from building
genuine relationships onLinkedIn to engaging in targeted
game development.
Mentor search groups Enhancestrategic perspective.
Mentors often help leaders seebeyond the immediate pressures
(03:32):
of shipping a title.
By working with a video gameindustry mentor, you can develop
a long-term vision for yourstudio, balancing creative
ambition with sustainable growth.
Learn to evaluate market trends, mobile console live service
and position your projectsaccordingly.
Gain insight into riskmanagement, budgeting for
multi-year titles and choosingbetween in-house development or
(03:53):
outsourcing.
Emotional support andaccountability.
The emotional toll ofleadership in high-pressure game
studios can be significant.
A mentor provides a safe spaceto discuss setbacks, team
conflicts or self-doubt withoutrisking reputation.
Accountability structures,regular check-ins and milestone
reviews that keep you on tracktowards your professional and
(04:16):
personal goals.
Empathy born of firsthandexperience in game development.
Crunch creative disagreementsand organizational restructuring
.
Transfer of institutionalknowledge Especially in indie
studios or rapidly scaling teams, critical knowledge can slip
through the cracks.
A game development mentor helpscapture and transmit unwritten
(04:36):
rules, historical lessons andstudio-specific context that no
manual can cover.
Document production pipelines,code-based intricacies and
legacy design docs, ensuringcontinuity even as teams evolve.
Forge a culture of continuouslearning where team members not
only receive information butfeel empowered to share their
own insights.
(04:58):
How to identify the right videogame industry mentor.
Finding the ideal mentorrequires strategic effort.
The follower key criteria andsteps for identifying someone
who aligns with your goals,values and working style.
Define your mentorship goalsbefore you begin your game
development mentor search.
Clarify what you hope toachieve.
(05:19):
Are you seeking technicalguidance on a new engine or
middleware?
Do you need strategic advice onlive service monetization and
user retention?
Are you looking for leadershipmentorship in gaming to improve
team morale and productivity?
Write down three to fivespecific objectives to guide
your search.
Seek relevant experience.
An effective video gameindustry mentor should possess
(05:42):
experience directly relevant toyour needs.
An effective video gameindustry mentor should possess
experience directly relevant toyour needs.
If you lead an indie studio,look for mentors who have
successfully launched similartitles or scaled small teams to
AAA partnerships.
For technical leadershipmentorship, prioritize mentors
with credit experience onsimilar engine architectures or
(06:02):
platform optimizations.
If your focus is on liveservice, find a mentor who has
overseen successful games as aservice launches and post-launch
operations.
Evaluate cultural andcommunication fit.
Compatibility is as importantas expertise.
Strong mentor-menteerelationship requires shared
values, creativity, integrity,work-life balance or studio
(06:23):
cultural ideals.
Complementary communicationstyles Some mentors prefer
structured, agenda-drivenmeetings.
Others thrive on informalconversations.
Geographic or time zoneconsiderations if you plan
regular virtual sessions,leverage professional networks
and communities.
Finding potential mentors iseasier when you tap into
(06:46):
existing communities.
Industry conferences andmeetups.
Events like GDC, pax or localgame dev meetups often host
mentorship mixers or speedmentoring sessions.
Online platforms, linkedingroups, Discord servers
dedicated to game developmentand specialized game development
mentor search forums canconnect you with veteran leaders
, alumni and peers.
(07:06):
Look within your own networkformer colleagues, school alumni
or peers in publishing whomight be open to mentorship or
referrals.
Assess mentor reputation andavailability A revered mentor
who's never available provideslittle value.
To gauge fit, review theirpublic contributions talks,
articles, podcasts.
(07:26):
Understand their viewpoints andexpertise.
Check endorsements ortestimonials from previous
mentees.
A track record of successfulprotégés indicates a mentor's
commitment to mentorship.
Respectfully inquire abouttheir time commitment and
preferred meeting cadence beforeformalizing the relationship.
Actionable steps Finding andsecuring your mentor.
(07:46):
Once you've identifiedpotential mentors, follow these
practical steps to initiate andnurture the relationship.
Step one craft a compellingoutreach message.
When contacting prospectivementors, clarity and respect for
their time are critical.
Subject line seeking video gameindustry mentor for live
(08:08):
service leadership.
As an example the openingbriefly introduce yourself, role
, studio and coreresponsibilities.
The purpose State why you'rereaching out and reference any
common connections or sharedexperiences.
An example could be I enjoyedyour GDC talk on player
retention, the value exchange.
(08:29):
Explain what you hope to learnand offer, whether it's
assisting them on a projectsharing fresh market insights or
contributing to their community.
The call to action it'sassisting them on a project
sharing fresh market insights orcontributing to their community
.
The call to action Propose ashort, no-obligation
introductory call or coffee chat.
This could be virtual orin-person.
Step two Prepare for yourinitial meeting.
(08:49):
First impressions set the tonefor a fruitful mentorship.
The agenda Draft a conciseagenda including your background
, mentorship goals and specificdiscussion topics.
Questions Prepare five to seventargeted questions that
demonstrate your research andrespect for your mentor's
expertise.
The value proposition Be readyto share what you can contribute
(09:12):
Innovative Indie Insights,community building or even agile
methodology improvements.
Step three establish amentorship framework Formalizing
expectations.
Ensures both parties benefitand remain committed.
Meeting cadence and formatAgree on frequency, whether it's
monthly or bimonthly.
(09:33):
Duration 30, 60 minutes andmedium.
Zoom or in-person or whatever.
Goal setting Define short-termthree to six months and
long-term one year plusmentorship goals, such as
overseeing a live service,launch or improving
cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Confidentiality and trustClarify boundaries around
(09:53):
sensitive information, ipdetails, internal team issues to
maintain trust and openness.
Step four maintainaccountability and momentum.
Sustaining a protectivementorship requires diligence
and mutual accountability.
Share documentation.
Use collaborative tools GoogleDocs, notion or Confluence to
track objectives, meeting notesand action items.
(10:15):
Regular progress reviewsDedicate a portion of each
session to reviewing progressionagainst agreed goals,
celebrating wins andrecalibrating as needed.
Feedback loop Invite yourmentor to provide candid
feedback on your leadership,communication and strategic
decisions, while offering yourown observations about the
mentorship process.
(10:36):
Advanced mentorship strategiesfor sustained growth, while
offering your own observationsabout the mentorship process.
Advanced Mentorship Strategiesfor Sustained Growth Having
established the foundations of asuccessful mentor-mentee
relationship, it's time toexplore advanced strategies that
deepen your learning, maximizethe video game industry, mentor
dynamic and ensure long-termgrowth.
Reciprocal Mentorship in PeerLearning While traditional
(10:58):
mentorship often involves asenior leader guiding a junior,
contemporary leadershipdevelopment increasingly
emphasizes reciprocal mentorshipand peer learning.
Actionable steps Pair up with apeer who has complementary
skills, perhaps a lead engineerif you're a creative director,
or a marketing head if youspecialize in production.
Schedule monthly peer mentorsessions to exchange insights on
(11:19):
cross-disciplinary challenges.
The benefit this reciprocalapproach broadens both
participants' perspectives,accelerates problem solving and
builds a collaborativeleadership culture where every
team member feels invested incollective success.
Group mentoring and mastermindcircles Expanding beyond
one-on-one mentorship, groupmentoring or mastermind circles
(11:41):
bring together four to eightleaders at similar career stages
to share challenges andbrainstorm solutions.
Some Actionable Steps Form asmall mastermind group with
fellow studio heads or seniorleads, rotate facilitation roles
, set strict confidentialityguidelines and meet bimonthly,
either virtually or in person,to discuss pressing issues like
(12:03):
pipeline optimization,leadership burnout or
monetization strategies.
The benefit Collective wisdomoften surpasses individual
experience.
Mastermind circles fosteraccountability, generate
creative solutions throughdiverse viewpoints and reinforce
peer support in tacklingindustry volatility.
Reverse mentorship forfuture-proofing.
(12:24):
Reverse mentorship, wherejunior staff mentor senior
leaders on emergent topics, canbe a powerful tool for staying
current in a rapidly evolvingindustry.
Some actual steps here Identifya rising star in your team
who's tech-savvy or deeplyconnected to player communities.
Arrange quarterly reversementoring sessions where they
update you on new engine tools,emerging platforms or shifting
(12:47):
player demographics.
Benefit Reverse mentorshipensures senior leaders remain
plugged into grassrootsinnovation, fostering a learning
culture that values insightsfrom all levels and strengthens
studio adaptability.
Overcoming common mentorshipchallenges Even the best
intentioned mentorshiprelationship encounters hurdles.
(13:07):
Addressing these proactivelypreserves trust and maximizes
the benefit of your leadership.
Mentorship and gaming.
Managing time constraintsLeaders and mentors alike juggle
heavy responsibilities, makingconsistent meetings difficult.
Actionable steps Implement aflexible office hours model
where mentors set aside one-hourblocks, weekly or biweekly, for
(13:29):
mentee drop-ins.
Use shared calendars andautomated scheduling tools like
Calendly to minimize back andforth the benefits.
Structured availability ensuresmentorship doesn't fall off the
calendar, while also respectingboth parties' times.
Aligning expectations Mismatchedexpectations around goals,
feedback style or communicationfrequency can lead to
(13:51):
frustration.
Actionable steps At the outsetdraft a mentorship agreement
document covering objectives,meeting cadence, preferred
communication channels andconfidentiality terms.
Review and revise thisagreement quarterly.
Benefit Clear, documentedexpectations, reduce
misunderstandings and provide areference point if the
relationship needs recalibration.
(14:12):
Navigating power dynamicsHierarchical differences can
inhibit honest dialogue,especially when juju leaders
hesitate to share failures.
Actual steps Fosterpsychological safety by having
mentors share their own pastmistakes and learning
experiences.
First, encourage mentees tofollow suit.
Use anonymous pre-meetingfeedback forums to surface
(14:35):
sensitive topics beforeface-to-face discussions.
Benefit Normalizingvulnerability deepens trust,
allowing for authenticproblem-solving and personal
growth.
Leveraging mentorship networksand platforms Beyond individual
connections tapping into formalmentorship networks platforms
can broaden your access to gamedevelopment, mentor search
(14:58):
opportunities, industryassociations and professional
guilds.
Organizations like theInternational Game Developers
Association, igda and Women inGames International often run
mentorship programs.
Some actual steps here Joinrelevant associations, subscribe
to their mentorship mailinglist and apply to structured
programs.
(15:18):
Attend virtual networkingevents and speed mentoring
sessions to meet potentialmentors.
The benefit Formal programsmatch you with vetted mentors
whose expertise aligns with youraspirations and provide
programmatic support andresources.
Online mentorship platformsDigital platforms such as
MentorCruise, play-doh andGrowthMentor have emerged,
(15:38):
connecting mentees withexperienced professionals across
industries, including gaming.
Actual steps.
Actual steps Create a detailedmentee profile highlighting your
role, studio size, specificlearning goals, live services.
Monetization engine migration.
Use platform filters toidentify mentors with proven
(15:59):
track records in these areas.
Benefit Online platform.
Streamline the video gameindustry mentor search, offering
transparent pricing, backgroundchecks and user reviews.
Social media and professionalforums.
Active participation inLinkedIn groups, discord servers
and Reddit communities likeReddit slash GameDev, can
organically lead to mentorshiprelationships.
Some actual steps hereContribute thoughtful posts or
(16:20):
comment on others' insightsAfter building rapport.
Reach out to experiencedmembers with personalized
messages expressing admirationfor their expertise and
requesting a short mentorshipconversation.
The benefit Organic connectionsoften yield mentors who are
generally invested in yourdevelopment and provide informal
and ongoing guidance.
Sustaining momentum, securingand nurturing a mentorship
(16:42):
relationship is a proactivejourney, not a one-off event.
So to get started, clarify yourgoals.
Revisit your initial mentorshipobjectives and refine them
based on insights from thispodcast.
Map potential mentors.
Create a short list of fivecandidates across personal
networks, associated programsand online platforms and draft
personalized outreach messages.
Schedule introductory chats.
(17:05):
Aim for at least one 30-minuteexploratory call per week until
you secure formal or informalmentorship Document and track
progress.
Use shared tools.
Notion or trial of the log.
Meeting notes, action items andmilestone achievements.
Review quarterly with yourmentor to adjust your roadmap.
Some final thoughts.
(17:25):
In the ever-evolving video gameindustry, no leader achieves
lasting success in isolation.
A video game industry mentoroffers the guidance, perspective
and network necessary tonavigate technical challenges,
scale studios and lead teamswith confidence.
By following the actual stepsoutlined in this podcast clarify
goals, identify compatiblementors, leveraging networks and
(17:46):
overcoming common challengesyou can forge mentorship
relationships that accelerateyour growth, enrich your
leadership and empower yourstudio to thrive in a
competitive landscape.
Take the first step today Mapyour mentorship goals, reach out
to your potential mentors andbegin the transformative journey
of leadership mentorship ingaming.
All right, and that's thisweek's episode of the Press
(18:10):
Start Leadership Podcast.
Thanks for listening and, asalways, thanks for being awesome
.
Thanks for watching.
Press Start Leadership.
Hey there, press Starters andwelcome to the Press Start
(00:23):
Leadership Podcast, the podcastabout game-changing leadership,
teaching you how to get the mostout of your product and
development team and become theleader you were meant to be.
Leadership coaching andtraining for the international
game industry professional.
Now let me introduce you toyour host, the man, the myth,
(00:46):
the legend.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Christopher Mifsud.
Hey there, press Starters andwelcome back to another awesome
edition of the Press StartLeadership Podcast.
On this week's episode, we'llbe discussing why every video
game industry leader needs amentor, harnessing a video game
industry mentor for strategicgrowth, unlock leadership,
mentorship benefits and provensteps for finding a mentor in
(01:14):
game development.
Leadership in the video gameindustry demands a unique
combination of creativity,technical expertise and business
acumen.
Yet even the most seasonedstudio heads and senior
producers encounter challengesthat test their skills and
resilience.
This is where a video gameindustry mentor becomes
invaluable.
A mentor provides guidance,accelerates learning and helps
(01:37):
emerging and established leadersnavigate the complexities of
game development, team dynamicsand career progression.
Game development, team dynamicsand career progression Whether
you're an ambitious leaddesigner, a newly promoted
producer or a veteran studioowner, seeking leadership
mentorship can transform yourprofessional journey.
In this podcast, we'll explorewhy every video game industry
(01:59):
leader needs a mentor, detailthe benefits of having a game
development mentor and offerstep-by-step advice on finding a
mentor in game development.
The benefits of mentorship forvideo game leaders.
Mentorship brings manifoldadvantages, particularly in an
industry as multifaceted asvideo games.
To follow are the primary waysa video game industry mentor can
(02:24):
accelerate your success.
Accelerated skill developmentTime to proficiency can make or
break a game developmentstudio's competitiveness.
A mentor with deep industryexperience can share best
practices in productionpipelines, engine optimizations
and cross-disciplinary workflows.
Offer personalized feedback onyour leadership approach,
(02:47):
helping you refine communication, project management and
creative decision-making.
Provide real-world examples ofhow they overcame challenges,
saving you months or even yearsof trial and error.
Expanded professional networkConnections matter in the video
game industry, whether you'reseeking talent, publishers or
partnerships.
A seasoned mentor can makeintroductions to key industry
(03:10):
contacts, publishers, platformholders and vendor partners.
Advocate for you at conferencesand networking events, opening
doors that might otherwiseremain closed.
Guide you on effective networkstrategies, from building
genuine relationships onLinkedIn to engaging in targeted
game development.
Mentor search groups Enhancestrategic perspective.
Mentors often help leaders seebeyond the immediate pressures
(03:32):
of shipping a title.
By working with a video gameindustry mentor, you can develop
a long-term vision for yourstudio, balancing creative
ambition with sustainable growth.
Learn to evaluate market trends, mobile console live service
and position your projectsaccordingly.
Gain insight into riskmanagement, budgeting for
multi-year titles and choosingbetween in-house development or
(03:53):
outsourcing.
Emotional support andaccountability.
The emotional toll ofleadership in high-pressure game
studios can be significant.
A mentor provides a safe spaceto discuss setbacks, team
conflicts or self-doubt withoutrisking reputation.
Accountability structures,regular check-ins and milestone
reviews that keep you on tracktowards your professional and
(04:16):
personal goals.
Empathy born of firsthandexperience in game development.
Crunch creative disagreementsand organizational restructuring
.
Transfer of institutionalknowledge Especially in indie
studios or rapidly scaling teams, critical knowledge can slip
through the cracks.
A game development mentor helpscapture and transmit unwritten
(04:36):
rules, historical lessons andstudio-specific context that no
manual can cover.
Document production pipelines,code-based intricacies and
legacy design docs, ensuringcontinuity even as teams evolve.
Forge a culture of continuouslearning where team members not
only receive information butfeel empowered to share their
own insights.
(04:58):
How to identify the right videogame industry mentor.
Finding the ideal mentorrequires strategic effort.
The follower key criteria andsteps for identifying someone
who aligns with your goals,values and working style.
Define your mentorship goalsbefore you begin your game
development mentor search.
Clarify what you hope toachieve.
(05:19):
Are you seeking technicalguidance on a new engine or
middleware?
Do you need strategic advice onlive service monetization and
user retention?
Are you looking for leadershipmentorship in gaming to improve
team morale and productivity?
Write down three to fivespecific objectives to guide
your search.
Seek relevant experience.
An effective video gameindustry mentor should possess
(05:42):
experience directly relevant toyour needs.
An effective video gameindustry mentor should possess
experience directly relevant toyour needs.
If you lead an indie studio,look for mentors who have
successfully launched similartitles or scaled small teams to
AAA partnerships.
For technical leadershipmentorship, prioritize mentors
with credit experience onsimilar engine architectures or
(06:02):
platform optimizations.
If your focus is on liveservice, find a mentor who has
overseen successful games as aservice launches and post-launch
operations.
Evaluate cultural andcommunication fit.
Compatibility is as importantas expertise.
Strong mentor-menteerelationship requires shared
values, creativity, integrity,work-life balance or studio
(06:23):
cultural ideals.
Complementary communicationstyles Some mentors prefer
structured, agenda-drivenmeetings.
Others thrive on informalconversations.
Geographic or time zoneconsiderations if you plan
regular virtual sessions,leverage professional networks
and communities.
Finding potential mentors iseasier when you tap into
(06:46):
existing communities.
Industry conferences andmeetups.
Events like GDC, pax or localgame dev meetups often host
mentorship mixers or speedmentoring sessions.
Online platforms, linkedingroups, Discord servers
dedicated to game developmentand specialized game development
mentor search forums canconnect you with veteran leaders
, alumni and peers.
(07:06):
Look within your own networkformer colleagues, school alumni
or peers in publishing whomight be open to mentorship or
referrals.
Assess mentor reputation andavailability A revered mentor
who's never available provideslittle value.
To gauge fit, review theirpublic contributions talks,
articles, podcasts.
(07:26):
Understand their viewpoints andexpertise.
Check endorsements ortestimonials from previous
mentees.
A track record of successfulprotégés indicates a mentor's
commitment to mentorship.
Respectfully inquire abouttheir time commitment and
preferred meeting cadence beforeformalizing the relationship.
Actionable steps Finding andsecuring your mentor.
(07:46):
Once you've identifiedpotential mentors, follow these
practical steps to initiate andnurture the relationship.
Step one craft a compellingoutreach message.
When contacting prospectivementors, clarity and respect for
their time are critical.
Subject line seeking video gameindustry mentor for live
(08:08):
service leadership.
As an example the openingbriefly introduce yourself, role
, studio and coreresponsibilities.
The purpose State why you'rereaching out and reference any
common connections or sharedexperiences.
An example could be I enjoyedyour GDC talk on player
retention, the value exchange.
(08:29):
Explain what you hope to learnand offer, whether it's
assisting them on a projectsharing fresh market insights or
contributing to their community.
The call to action it'sassisting them on a project
sharing fresh market insights orcontributing to their community
.
The call to action Propose ashort, no-obligation
introductory call or coffee chat.
This could be virtual orin-person.
Step two Prepare for yourinitial meeting.
(08:49):
First impressions set the tonefor a fruitful mentorship.
The agenda Draft a conciseagenda including your background
, mentorship goals and specificdiscussion topics.
Questions Prepare five to seventargeted questions that
demonstrate your research andrespect for your mentor's
expertise.
The value proposition Be readyto share what you can contribute
(09:12):
Innovative Indie Insights,community building or even agile
methodology improvements.
Step three establish amentorship framework Formalizing
expectations.
Ensures both parties benefitand remain committed.
Meeting cadence and formatAgree on frequency, whether it's
monthly or bimonthly.
(09:33):
Duration 30, 60 minutes andmedium.
Zoom or in-person or whatever.
Goal setting Define short-termthree to six months and
long-term one year plusmentorship goals, such as
overseeing a live service,launch or improving
cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Confidentiality and trustClarify boundaries around
(09:53):
sensitive information, ipdetails, internal team issues to
maintain trust and openness.
Step four maintainaccountability and momentum.
Sustaining a protectivementorship requires diligence
and mutual accountability.
Share documentation.
Use collaborative tools GoogleDocs, notion or Confluence to
track objectives, meeting notesand action items.
(10:15):
Regular progress reviewsDedicate a portion of each
session to reviewing progressionagainst agreed goals,
celebrating wins andrecalibrating as needed.
Feedback loop Invite yourmentor to provide candid
feedback on your leadership,communication and strategic
decisions, while offering yourown observations about the
mentorship process.
(10:36):
Advanced mentorship strategiesfor sustained growth, while
offering your own observationsabout the mentorship process.
Advanced Mentorship Strategiesfor Sustained Growth Having
established the foundations of asuccessful mentor-mentee
relationship, it's time toexplore advanced strategies that
deepen your learning, maximizethe video game industry, mentor
dynamic and ensure long-termgrowth.
Reciprocal Mentorship in PeerLearning While traditional
(10:58):
mentorship often involves asenior leader guiding a junior,
contemporary leadershipdevelopment increasingly
emphasizes reciprocal mentorshipand peer learning.
Actionable steps Pair up with apeer who has complementary
skills, perhaps a lead engineerif you're a creative director,
or a marketing head if youspecialize in production.
Schedule monthly peer mentorsessions to exchange insights on
(11:19):
cross-disciplinary challenges.
The benefit this reciprocalapproach broadens both
participants' perspectives,accelerates problem solving and
builds a collaborativeleadership culture where every
team member feels invested incollective success.
Group mentoring and mastermindcircles Expanding beyond
one-on-one mentorship, groupmentoring or mastermind circles
(11:41):
bring together four to eightleaders at similar career stages
to share challenges andbrainstorm solutions.
Some Actionable Steps Form asmall mastermind group with
fellow studio heads or seniorleads, rotate facilitation roles
, set strict confidentialityguidelines and meet bimonthly,
either virtually or in person,to discuss pressing issues like
(12:03):
pipeline optimization,leadership burnout or
monetization strategies.
The benefit Collective wisdomoften surpasses individual
experience.
Mastermind circles fosteraccountability, generate
creative solutions throughdiverse viewpoints and reinforce
peer support in tacklingindustry volatility.
Reverse mentorship forfuture-proofing.
(12:24):
Reverse mentorship, wherejunior staff mentor senior
leaders on emergent topics, canbe a powerful tool for staying
current in a rapidly evolvingindustry.
Some actual steps here Identifya rising star in your team
who's tech-savvy or deeplyconnected to player communities.
Arrange quarterly reversementoring sessions where they
update you on new engine tools,emerging platforms or shifting
(12:47):
player demographics.
Benefit Reverse mentorshipensures senior leaders remain
plugged into grassrootsinnovation, fostering a learning
culture that values insightsfrom all levels and strengthens
studio adaptability.
Overcoming common mentorshipchallenges Even the best
intentioned mentorshiprelationship encounters hurdles.
(13:07):
Addressing these proactivelypreserves trust and maximizes
the benefit of your leadership.
Mentorship and gaming.
Managing time constraintsLeaders and mentors alike juggle
heavy responsibilities, makingconsistent meetings difficult.
Actionable steps Implement aflexible office hours model
where mentors set aside one-hourblocks, weekly or biweekly, for
(13:29):
mentee drop-ins.
Use shared calendars andautomated scheduling tools like
Calendly to minimize back andforth the benefits.
Structured availability ensuresmentorship doesn't fall off the
calendar, while also respectingboth parties' times.
Aligning expectations Mismatchedexpectations around goals,
feedback style or communicationfrequency can lead to
(13:51):
frustration.
Actionable steps At the outsetdraft a mentorship agreement
document covering objectives,meeting cadence, preferred
communication channels andconfidentiality terms.
Review and revise thisagreement quarterly.
Benefit Clear, documentedexpectations, reduce
misunderstandings and provide areference point if the
relationship needs recalibration.
(14:12):
Navigating power dynamicsHierarchical differences can
inhibit honest dialogue,especially when juju leaders
hesitate to share failures.
Actual steps Fosterpsychological safety by having
mentors share their own pastmistakes and learning
experiences.
First, encourage mentees tofollow suit.
Use anonymous pre-meetingfeedback forums to surface
(14:35):
sensitive topics beforeface-to-face discussions.
Benefit Normalizingvulnerability deepens trust,
allowing for authenticproblem-solving and personal
growth.
Leveraging mentorship networksand platforms Beyond individual
connections tapping into formalmentorship networks platforms
can broaden your access to gamedevelopment, mentor search
(14:58):
opportunities, industryassociations and professional
guilds.
Organizations like theInternational Game Developers
Association, igda and Women inGames International often run
mentorship programs.
Some actual steps here Joinrelevant associations, subscribe
to their mentorship mailinglist and apply to structured
programs.
(15:18):
Attend virtual networkingevents and speed mentoring
sessions to meet potentialmentors.
The benefit Formal programsmatch you with vetted mentors
whose expertise aligns with youraspirations and provide
programmatic support andresources.
Online mentorship platformsDigital platforms such as
MentorCruise, play-doh andGrowthMentor have emerged,
(15:38):
connecting mentees withexperienced professionals across
industries, including gaming.
Actual steps.
Actual steps Create a detailedmentee profile highlighting your
role, studio size, specificlearning goals, live services.
Monetization engine migration.
Use platform filters toidentify mentors with proven
(15:59):
track records in these areas.
Benefit Online platform.
Streamline the video gameindustry mentor search, offering
transparent pricing, backgroundchecks and user reviews.
Social media and professionalforums.
Active participation inLinkedIn groups, discord servers
and Reddit communities likeReddit slash GameDev, can
organically lead to mentorshiprelationships.
Some actual steps hereContribute thoughtful posts or
(16:20):
comment on others' insightsAfter building rapport.
Reach out to experiencedmembers with personalized
messages expressing admirationfor their expertise and
requesting a short mentorshipconversation.
The benefit Organic connectionsoften yield mentors who are
generally invested in yourdevelopment and provide informal
and ongoing guidance.
Sustaining momentum, securingand nurturing a mentorship
(16:42):
relationship is a proactivejourney, not a one-off event.
So to get started, clarify yourgoals.
Revisit your initial mentorshipobjectives and refine them
based on insights from thispodcast.
Map potential mentors.
Create a short list of fivecandidates across personal
networks, associated programsand online platforms and draft
personalized outreach messages.
Schedule introductory chats.
(17:05):
Aim for at least one 30-minuteexploratory call per week until
you secure formal or informalmentorship Document and track
progress.
Use shared tools.
Notion or trial of the log.
Meeting notes, action items andmilestone achievements.
Review quarterly with yourmentor to adjust your roadmap.
Some final thoughts.
(17:25):
In the ever-evolving video gameindustry, no leader achieves
lasting success in isolation.
A video game industry mentoroffers the guidance, perspective
and network necessary tonavigate technical challenges,
scale studios and lead teamswith confidence.
By following the actual stepsoutlined in this podcast clarify
goals, identify compatiblementors, leveraging networks and
(17:46):
overcoming common challengesyou can forge mentorship
relationships that accelerateyour growth, enrich your
leadership and empower yourstudio to thrive in a
competitive landscape.
Take the first step today Mapyour mentorship goals, reach out
to your potential mentors andbegin the transformative journey
of leadership mentorship ingaming.
All right, and that's thisweek's episode of the Press
(18:10):
Start Leadership Podcast.
Thanks for listening and, asalways, thanks for being awesome
.
Thanks for watching.
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