Martijn van Zwieten, a game industry business coach, shares his insights on game company leadership and business development. He emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and aligning the entire company towards those goals. He also highlights the need for effective communication and feedback mechanisms within the organization. While there are some industry-specific challenges in the game industry, the principles of running a successful business remain the same. In this conversation, Martijn van Zwieten discusses the fundamental aspects of running a business, including focus, alignment, and accountability. He emphasizes the importance of designing a company that supports the making of games, rather than treating the company as a byproduct of the game. Martijn also highlights the power of games as an interactive medium that allows for immersive experiences and the potential for impact in various areas, such as art, mindfulness, and education. He encourages individuals to set goals and prioritize their time to move the needle and avoid getting caught up in day-to-day tasks. Overall, the conversation explores the importance of self-reflection, long-term thinking, and finding one's purpose in the games industry.

Takeaways
Leadership in the game industry is about convincing people to pursue a common goal.
Setting clear goals and aligning the entire company towards those goals is crucial for success.
Effective communication and feedback mechanisms are essential for maintaining alignment and improving performance.
While there are industry-specific challenges, the principles of running a successful business apply to the game industry as well. Focus, alignment, and accountability are fundamental aspects of running a successful business.
Designing a company that supports the making of games is crucial for long-term success.
Games are an interactive medium that allows for immersive experiences and has the potential for impact in various areas.
Setting goals and prioritizing time can help individuals move the needle and avoid getting caught up in day-to-day tasks.
Self-reflection, long-term thinking, and finding one's purpose are important in the games industry.

Find Martijn here:
https://www.martijnvanzwieten.com/new...
https://www.martijnvanzwieten.com/firm/
/ mvanzwieten

Christopher Mifsud, CEO of Play and Word Studio, discusses his philosophy of servant leadership in the game industry. He emphasizes the importance of listening to your team and doing everything you can to make them succeed. Mifsud also highlights the value of mindfulness and breathwork in a stressful industry like gaming. Additionally, he advocates for implementing best practices and proper processes in game design and production. Mifsud suggests having a clear vision, a well-defined production plan, and fiscal responsibility as key elements for success. The conversation explores the importance of being flexible in work styles and schedules, challenging traditional notions of productivity and crunch time. It emphasizes the need for leaders to trust their teams and provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Mindfulness and reflection are highlighted as valuable practices for observing and responding to situations, rather than reacting. The conversation also touches on the fallacy of needing to struggle and the value of practicing mindfulness in everyday activities.

Takeaways
- Servant leadership is crucial in the game industry, focusing on listening to your team and helping them succeed.
- Mindfulness and breath work can help manage stress in the gaming industry.
- Implementing best practices and proper game design and production processes is essential for success.
- A clear vision, a well-defined production plan, and fiscal responsibility are key elements for effective studio organization and leadership.
- Be flexible in work styles and schedules to accommodate different preferences and maximize productivity.
- Trust your team and give them the tools and resources they need to succeed.
- Practice mindfulness and reflection to observe and respond to situations rather than reacting.
- Challenge the fallacy of needing to struggle and embrace the value of ease and enjoyment in work.
- Focus on the big picture and the objective rather than getting caught up in unnecessary tasks or traditions.

Find Christopher here:
https://pressstartleadership.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophermifsud/

In this conversation, Gary Simonds, a former neurosurgeon turned writer, discusses the therapeutic benefits of playing musical instruments, the neuroscience of music, and the importance of creativity and self-reflection in preventing burnout. He emphasizes the role of music in providing an escape and promoting mental health. Simonds also highlights the fragility of life and the need to appreciate it, drawing from his experiences in the medical field. He shares insights on building resilience and self-compassion to combat burnout, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's energy and attention with personal values and goals. In this conversation, Kevin and Gary discuss the concept of burnout and how it affects individuals. They explore the fluctuating nature of burnout and the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection. They emphasize the need for individuals to understand themselves and their motivations in order to prevent burnout. They also discuss the role of the system in contributing to burnout and the need for both individual and systemic changes to combat it. Practical steps include periodic debriefing, self-compassion and self-care, discussing stressors with trusted individuals, collecting uplifts, and fostering meaningful connections with others.

Takeaways

- Playing musical instruments can provide an escape and promote mental health.
- Music engages various areas of the brain and affects mood and reward systems.
- Engaging in creative activities, such as playing music, can help prevent burnout and promote brain health.
- Self-reflection and understanding one's values and goals are essential in building resilience and combating burnout.
- Burnout is not a permanent state and individuals fluctuate in their levels of burnout.
- Self-awareness and self-reflection are crucial in preventing burnout.
- Both individual and systemic changes are necessary to combat burnout.
- Practical steps include periodic debriefing, self-compassion and self-care, discussing stressors with trusted individuals, collecting uplifts, and fostering meaningful connections with others.

Find Dr Gary Simons here:
https://garyrsimonds.com/