GDC 2025 Session Viewer

In the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of game development in nowadays globalized world, leadership approaches must evolve to effectively harness the diverse talents from different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives present in today's workforce. Traditional leadership models, which predominantly emerged in industrial America in the 60s or derive from those, were designed for a more homogeneous workforce and often fail to address the complexities of modern teams. Join me for a session where we critically examine the limitations of some of the most common leadership theories in the context of contemporary game development and how to address this shortcoming, as well as some useful takeaways to make us more effective leaders. This session will explore how these traditional models fall short in addressing the unique needs and contributions of a diverse workforce, which includes individuals from various cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds, and how to overcome them. Drawing from personal experiences at including IO Interactive, where our team comprises nationalities from over 40 different countries, we will delve into practical insights and strategies for effective leadership.

Takeaway

By the end of this session, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to transcend outdated leadership models and embrace a more inclusive, effective approach to leading diverse teams in the modern game development landscape.

Intended Audience

Game development professionals in leadership roles, team leads, HR managers, and anyone interested in evolving their leadership approach to better suit today's diverse workforce.