Who are the sort of game devs you work with?
I’ve coached folks across all disciplines. Animation, design, programming, art, audio, QA, HR.
What experience levels?
I’ve worked with students. And those who’ve landed their first industry job. New managers. Experienced managers. Directors. VPs. CEOs. It may be hard to believe, but even folks with decades of experience still find value in talking through their challenges. And everyone has challenges.
OK, Keith. “Challenges”. What are we talking about here?
Phew. There’s no way to list them all. But here are some of the most common:
• I think I’m struggling with burnout
• How do I manage up with the CEO?
• How do I know when coaching this team member isn’t working?
• I was promoted to lead but haven’t had any training in people management
• How do I fire someone?
• How do I cope with being laid off?
• I have to work with someone who doesn’t get social cues
• Why haven’t I been promoted?
• Should I take this new job?
• I don’t have clear feedback on how to be successful here
What do I get from my time with you?
Fair question, and there’s no guaranteed answer. What I won’t do is get all hand-wavy and copy/paste platitudes. Heaven forbid I ever sound like a Successories office poster. I want everyone to have something concrete, something they can do that gets them even just one step closer to their goal or to resolving a problem. But that doesn’t always happen quickly. That’s the deal with coaching…it’s not simple mentoring. It involves a lot of listening, and occasionally asking questions that help you come to your own resolution.
OK, so why *you* ?
I’ve been there. I was a fingers-on-keyboard dev for a long time. I slept under my desk (dumb), I transitioned to a manager (no training), I worked with insistent publishers and demanding licensors and good managers and bad leaders and horrible deadlines. As a consultant I’ve worked with most of the big names you think of in our industry and many of the small ones you’ve likely not heard of.
I get the problem space, but I don’t have the political ties of a coworker or boss.
I can help walk you through how I’ve seen others deal with what you’re facing.
I’m supportive but still willing to challenge you with questions.
And I want to see you fulfilled by your work rather than burned out by it.