In the dynamic world of games development, where creativity and innovation reign supreme, one of the secrets to staying at the forefront is a commitment to continuous learning. And while workshops, courses, and conferences have their place, there’s an age-old method of growth that deserves renewed attention: mentoring and coaching. These two methods, deeply rooted in personal relationships and individual growth, can be transformative tools for staff development, fostering a culture of support and mutual learning.
Why Prioritise Mentoring and Coaching?
- Personalised Growth: While generic training sessions can offer broad insights, mentoring and coaching provide tailored guidance. Mentors and coaches, by virtue of their experience and insights, can help employees navigate specific challenges, identify opportunities, and grow in areas they might not have even recognised.
- Improved Staff Retention: Employees who feel seen, heard, and supported are more likely to stay. By facilitating mentoring relationships and coaching sessions, studios demonstrate an investment in their staff’s professional and personal development.
- Empowering Under-represented Groups: The games industry in general still has much work to do in terms of attracting and retaining talent from under-represented groups. A dedicated mentoring and coaching programme can offer additional support to these groups, levelling the playing field and ensuring diverse voices are nurtured and elevated.
Crafting a Robust Mentoring and Coaching Programme
- Encourage Participation: The success of any mentoring initiative lies in active participation. Studios should actively motivate employees to seek out mentors or coaches and be open to the idea of being mentored.
- Training for Mentors and Coaches: Not everyone naturally possesses the skills to be an effective mentor or coach. Consider investing in training sessions to equip potential mentors with the right tools and techniques.
- Inclusivity is Key: Make sure the mentoring and coaching programmes are accessible to all, regardless of their role, experience, or background. Be especially conscious of ensuring that under-represented groups within the studio are both encouraged to participate and have equal access to quality mentors and coaches.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Create avenues for both mentors/mentors and coaches/coachees to provide feedback. This will ensure the programme remains dynamic, relevant, and effective.
- Celebrate Success Stories: Publicly recognising and celebrating the successes of those involved in the mentoring and coaching programmes can serve as a motivation for others to get involved.
A Win For Everyone Involved
While the immediate beneficiaries of mentoring and coaching are those being mentored or coached, the advantages extend far beyond. Mentors often speak of the satisfaction and fresh perspectives they gain. Coaches, on the other hand, often refine their own techniques and insights by working with diverse individuals. And of course, the studio benefits from a more engaged, skilled, and cohesive workforce.
Mentoring and coaching can be game-changers for a studio. They offer not just skill development, but also personal growth, a sense of community, and a commitment to fostering the next generation of talent. Studios that embrace these tools not only build stronger teams but also create a legacy of knowledge-sharing, inclusivity, and mutual growth. In the end, everyone thrives together.
