How can you build relationships with colleagues in different departments?

Curiosity is the key to success. We all love games because we love to learn. To ignite that passion, not only do you have to show it, but you have to create an environment that helps everyone do it. Make sure every team member has the opportunity to learn and teach. Invite industry experts to your summits or just a webinar. Find time to run workshops for your teams, share industry best practices, let people speak & be heard. It requires time but the result it'll bring back will cover these investments on a long run.

To build relationships with colleagues in different departments, initiate communication, understand their roles, attend cross-departmental events, ask questions, and actively listen. Collaborate on projects, share your expertise, utilize communication platforms, establish regular meetings, and express appreciation for their contributions. Participate in training sessions, attend employee resource groups, and be open to feedback. Consistency and a genuine interest in understanding and working with others contribute to fostering positive and collaborative relationships.

Understanding what other teams are responsible for, the tools they use, and resources they need to succeed is crucial to effectively working with diverse teams. It is easy to fall into a cycle of only focusing on your own work, reaching out only when YOU need help on something, and focusing only on what things your peers can do to support YOUR efforts. It is harder, but significantly more rewarding, to actively and regularly foster relationships with other teams, grasp the fundamentals of their work and how your two responsibilities support and can excel due to the others. I find that regular knowledge transfers sessions, one on one or in a group, create productive and positive feedback loops of skills and experiences.

My experience has taught me that the only way to surround myself with smart, talented, and truly interesting people is by actively seeking out those who share a similar drive and passion. This approach has enriched my life, as being in the company of such inspiring individuals fosters a stimulating environment. It's in these settings that I find myself continually learning, growing, and being challenged in positive ways.

Know what others are doing, why they are there, and what they need to do their job. Keep a friendly, but professional attitude and build relationships (your network). Remember, always threat others as you would like to be treated!

Here are key methods: 1. Join Cross-Functional Teams: Look for projects involving diverse departmental teams. 2. Participate in Company Initiatives: Take part in activities like hackathons or brainstorming sessions. 3. Initiate Collaborative Projects: Start your own projects, like prototypes or demos, and invite others to join. 4. Engage in Informal Networking: Building relationships can often occur in informal settings. 5. Offer and Seek Assistance: Offer your skills to other departments' projects and seek their input for your projects. 6. Share Knowledge and Expertise: Conduct or participate in knowledge-sharing sessions, such as workshops, to facilitate learning and open dialogue with colleagues from different areas.

Actively seek collaboration opportunities by staying informed about ongoing projects, networking across departments, joining cross-functional teams, and expressing your willingness to contribute. Attend interdepartmental meetings, collaborate on common goals, and participate in brainstorming sessions. Seek input from colleagues, engage in training and workshops, explore interdepartmental projects, and proactively build relationships. This approach fosters a collaborative culture, leading to innovative solutions and shared success within the organization.

One thing I've found interesting is that opportunities come by themselves when you have a great professional connection with your workers. If you are having together a good time, hackathons, game jams, etc... will be the next step.

Actively seek collaboration opportunities by joining cross-functional teams, engaging in shared tasks, or initiating projects. This not only showcases your skills but fosters teamwork and problem-solving across departments. Such initiatives can lead to meaningful professional connections and innovative solutions.

Effectively use communication tools for seamless collaboration. Choose appropriate tools such as email for formal messages, instant messaging apps for quick communication, and video conferencing for virtual meetings. Utilize project management tools, collaborative document editing platforms, and internal communication platforms to streamline workflows. Implement file-sharing and cloud storage solutions, collaboration whiteboards, and social media for business. Incorporate feedback and survey tools, automation tools, and ensure mobile accessibility. Prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information. Regularly assess the effectiveness of chosen tools for efficient communication across teams.

Everyone communicates differently. Some are good with text, others need sketches or a Miro board. Some like it brief and others want to drown in all the details you got. Ask your teammates “Hey what’s best for you?” It shows that you care about their time and that you want to make sure they get what you are saying. And the same goes for you. People aren’t mind readers. Tell them what works for you.

Personal advice: KEEP AWAY the meetings as much as possible (no meetings on Fridays!) Use chats and emails to discuss with your colleagues.

Building good communication with your colleagues is really important for the success. I prefer professional chat and email medium for professional discussion and you can also project management software for better communicating and transfer information to each other.

Choosing the right communication tools is vital, but so is speaking their language. Each department may have a unique mindset and communication style. Adapting to these nuances enhances collaboration and builds stronger relationships, ensuring effective communication beyond just the tools.

In my experience, coffee gathers (during work time) are the most effective way to informally discuss with your colleagues (even dough you will end up discussing about work).

Absolutely, Zainulabiden. Attending both social and professional events is a powerful way to connect with colleagues from different departments. Join informal gatherings for relaxed conversations and formal events like workshops to learn and stay updated on industry trends. Networking with fellow game developers and exchanging contacts during these events can lead to valuable connections and opportunities for collaboration in the future.

Attending casual networking events is an excellent way to expand your professional network and enhance your social and professional standing in the game development community. Events like "Beer and Pixels" offer a relaxed and informal setting for local developers to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other. Benefits of Casual Networking Events: Play-test games and receive feedback from peers Share tips and best practices for working in the games industry, Connect with local developers and potential collaborators Enjoy a relaxed and pressure-free environment, often in a pub or cafe setting. By attending these events, you'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and gain valuable insights.

These days, everyone wants to give feedback. If you are not in the same department, and your opinion wasn't requested, please DO NOT give your opinion on something ;) While giving & receiving feedback is important, when, why, how, and from whom are even more important ;)

Provide constructive feedback on various aspects of your colleagues' work, and be open to receiving feedback on your own contributions. Emphasize strengths, address weaknesses, and offer suggestions for improvement. This iterative feedback process not only enhances the quality of work but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and mutual respect among colleagues in different departments.

When offering feedback, it is crucial to be specific and focused on observable behaviors. Highlighting what went well and suggesting areas for improvement creates a balanced perspective. Constructive criticism should be framed positively, fostering a collaborative spirit rather than a confrontational atmosphere. On the receiving end, being open-minded is key. Accepting feedback gracefully, even when it's critical, demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional development. Actively listen, seek clarification if needed, and express gratitude for the input.

Celebrating with your team is a fantastic way to get to know people from other departments. After shipping Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, my colleagues celebrated launch day by watching streamers together. We come from varied departments, but we were all equally excited to see people play the game we worked hard on. It's a great feeling to be alongside such talented individuals.

Find a time to ping someone you are going to be collaborating with a lot and ask “Hey, when you have a minute, I’d really like to learn more about you do your job. I don’t know a lot about [what they do], so it would help me when I [do what I do].” Sit, listen, understand their strains and pain points. Show them you respect their labor by working out the best way to work together. You get to know them, and they get to know you. You aren’t a name on an email sig anymore. You are a colleague, you are in the same trench. You get to understand more how the studio works and you look like someone who cares.

One of the best ways would be to learn the basics of their skills. If you can participate to solving their problems in a way which seems similar to what they'd do, but also leads to an additional alternative you'll increate affinity fast.

Because the game dev environment is very multi faceted it is very important to educate your peers and colleagues from other disciplines about the one (or several) that you are responsible for. You have to encourage them to teach you a bit of their craft. Understanding of the basic would allow a much better communication. We use languages to communicate, the problem with that is that in many cases each of us have a bit different definition for the same word. Professionals tend to take many things that are very obvious for them because they are so deep in their craft as common knowledge. Communication that is based on mutual enrichment overcomes that and as a bonus creates a better bond between colleagues of different professions.