You're a skilled game developer eyeing a leadership role. How can you level up your career?

Vying for a Leadership role happens years before ever actually landing a job as a leader. And this is because leadership involves a ton of soft skills that you'll be expected to know by the time you get there. My greatest piece of advice in expanding these skills is to *be a leader in your current role first,* and more importantly *to become self sustaining, and alleviate your own leader's need to manage you.* If you regularly act as a self sustained unit, hitting deadlines, self auditing, and minimizing the tasks on your own manager, you clearly become a leader before ever getting hired as one. This way when you step into a role at your current company, which is the most likely way to land your first one, nobody will bat an eye. ??

Adopt a Learning Approach: Be enthusiastic about acquiring new knowledge, actively seek help whenever necessary and constantly look for ways to improve. Devote Time to Mastery: Stay up-to-date with the latest in game development, be it technology, tools or practices. Develop Collaborative Skills: Being in charge of people comes with the inherent need to be able to communicate; make calls and guide the team. Network and Contribute: Immerse yourself in the gaming industry and help others in order to expand your contacts. Be Proactive: Volunteer to take on team-related responsibilities and leadership roles whenever you can showcase how well you can lead and inspire others.

Something crucial I feel that has not been emphasized enough so far is: Communication. Don't assume everyone is on the same page. Confirm it. Leaders endeavor to understand what all specialists are talking about. A 'sprint' will not be the same length across all teams universally. The 'First' of something is expected to be 1 by front end and 0 by back-end. A leader facilitates open, nonjudgmental, clear communication. You should never judge anyone for getting something wrong and you should always be ready to clarify everything you say. Build your communication skills. There are multiple languages in a team, even if everyone is speaking the same dialect.

I do think it is very important to have a general idea of everything that goes into making a video game (or anything for that matter), but you should primarily focus on learning about what you personally want to do. Most projects are team efforts, so having a lot of knowledge in one area of expertise is much better than having superficial knowledge about everything.

If you're a skilled game developer aiming for a leadership role, building strong networks can really boost your career. Start connecting with other developers, industry pros, and potential mentors. Attend events, join online groups, and get involved in conversations that matter. Networking not only opens doors but also helps you gain valuable insights and visibility. By building relationships, you'll be better positioned to step into leadership when the opportunity arises.

Couldn't agree more! Networking truly is a game-changer in the game development industry. Engaging with others at industry conferences, forums, and online communities can open so many doors—both professionally and personally. It’s an excellent way to gain insights from experienced leaders, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships. These connections often lead to exciting collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and a better understanding of how leadership works across different studios. As you mentioned, a strong network is often the best catalyst for new opportunities and long-term career growth. Let’s make the most of it!

One thing I've found helpful is attending industry events for networking. Actually, I disagree with neglecting online communities. An example I've seen is building relationships that lead to collaborations and career growth in game development.

My best advice in the area of networking is to take the view that each and every contact is valuable! Don’t filter out interactions but rather be open to experiencing all interaction. This is what leads to knowledge, and, over time, the skills that will make you a great leader !

- Asiste a conferencias y eventos de la industria: Networking con otros profesionales te permitirá conocer nuevas oportunidades y ganar visibilidad en la industria. Participar en eventos como GDC (Game Developers Conference) te conectará con otros líderes. - Colabora con otros desarrolladores: Colabora con desarrolladores más experimentados para aprender de ellos y crear relaciones que podrían abrirte puertas en el futuro.

If you're aiming for a leadership role, mentoring others is a great way to level up your career. Share your expertise with junior developers and offer guidance on their projects. It helps you develop leadership skills, build stronger team relationships, and establish yourself as a go-to expert in your field. Plus, seeing others grow and succeed because of your support is incredibly rewarding and highlights your readiness for a leadership role.

One thing I've found helpful is mentoring to refine leadership skills. Actually, I disagree with underestimating the mentor’s growth. An example I've seen is teaching others, which builds patience and communication, essential for career advancement.

Mentorship is a step towards a leadership role. Recognizing that sharing your experience with others at the cost of completing more personal work can have a larger positive impact on the success of the project is a key mindset that management is looking for.

Absolutely! Mentoring is indeed a two-way street that benefits both the mentor and the mentee. It’s an incredible opportunity to develop essential leadership skills like empathy, adaptability, and effective communication. By supporting and guiding less experienced developers, you not only contribute to their growth but also sharpen your own abilities to manage and inspire a team. Being recognized as a supportive and approachable leader can significantly enhance your reputation within your organization and open doors for career advancement. Mentorship truly is a powerful step on the journey to leadership!

- Encuentra mentores: Busca personas con experiencia en roles de liderazgo en la industria del videojuego. Pueden darte consejos valiosos y ayudarte a evitar errores comunes. - Toma roles de liderazgo peque?os: Busca oportunidades dentro de tu equipo o en nuevos proyectos para empezar a liderar peque?as iniciativas y demostrar tu capacidad de gestión.

Volunteer for high-impact tasks or projects where you can showcase your skills and leadership abilities. Manage timelines, coordinate with team members, and drive the project towards success. Leading projects not only demonstrates your capability to handle responsibility but also helps you build essential leadership skills and gain the experience needed for higher roles.

One thing I've found helpful is leading smaller projects to demonstrate initiative. Actually, I disagree with waiting for leadership roles to be assigned. An example I've seen is volunteering for extra responsibilities to gain team management experience and prove readiness for larger challenges.

Leading a project will open your eyes to the bigger picture and switch focus from an individual discipline to the project as a whole allowing you to make decisions that best support the project.

My view on this topic is that no task is too small to warrant your focus in gaining project leadership skills. Small tasks and projects lead to bigger tasks and projects. There is something to learn in and every such endeavor!

Completely agree! Taking initiative to lead smaller projects or volunteering for extra responsibilities is a fantastic way to prove your readiness for leadership. It shows that you're proactive, eager to grow, and capable of handling more complex tasks. Managing a project, no matter the size, offers real-world experience in navigating team dynamics, meeting deadlines, and making critical decisions under pressure. These experiences are incredibly valuable, as they not only help you develop crucial leadership skills but also demonstrate to your superiors that you’re prepared to take on bigger challenges. It’s a smart move for anyone aiming to advance their career!

Clearly articulate your ideas and goals for projects, and ensure your team understands the bigger picture. Share your vision regularly through meetings and updates, and be open to feedback. This approach helps align everyone’s efforts, motivates your team, and showcases your leadership skills. When your vision is clear and compelling, you inspire others and drive your projects forward with purpose.

Don’t assume everyone knows what you know. Have people state back what they heard from you until they have a clear picture of what you are imparting.

Absolutely spot-on! Inspiring leadership goes beyond mere management; it's about articulating a clear and compelling vision. Effective communication is key to motivating your team and aligning their efforts with the project's goals. Being able to present your ideas with passion and clarity, whether to your development team or to executives, is crucial for rallying support and driving a project forward. A strong, persuasive vision can truly set you apart as a leader capable of steering projects to success. It's a powerful skill that can make a significant difference in your leadership journey.

Clearly expressing your ideas to executive members is a step 1 assumption. More importantly than ideas is team building and results. A leader that achieves the goals for the company while keeping a happy and productive team , will be a persona that is assigned more levels of responsibility. At this level it is less about your technical skills and more about being of service to your team to achieve goals.

Embracing feedback is crucial for anyone on the path to leadership. Constructive criticism is not just about identifying areas for improvement but also about leveraging insights for personal and professional growth. Actively seeking feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and even players can provide a well-rounded perspective on your strengths and areas where you can enhance your skills. Being open to feedback shows humility and a readiness to adapt—qualities that are essential for effective leadership. It's an ongoing process that can significantly enhance your ability to lead and drive success.

Actively seek input from colleagues, mentors, and team members to understand how you can improve. Be open to both positive and constructive criticism, and use it to refine your skills and approach. Demonstrating that you value feedback shows that you're committed to growth and can adapt—qualities essential for effective leadership. Plus, it builds trust and encourages a collaborative team environment.

Em quest?o de feedback, também é interessante olhar as avalia??es dos jogos que s?o parecidos ou s?o do mesmo genero do que você está desenvolvendo, para ver como a comunidade está reagindo a certas mecanicas e outros pontos dos jogos.

Seek feedback from anyone and everyone, you will be surprised at what you can learn from different perspectives; from QA and CS, to Human Resources and executives.