Production: Working at the Heart of the Team

In this 2016 GDC session, producers Matt Charles, Michelle Ducker, Grant Shonkwiler & Greg Stone investigate several facets of soft skills and share specific situations that they have encountered throughout their careers and how their soft skills have saved the team and shipped awesome games.
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[@tina-eh5jl]

This really helped refocus my mindset on production and running a team. Thanks for the more personal version of advice giving!

[@schnozz4301]

I would strongly suggest anyone dealing with stress to find a good psychologist that specializes with stress management. Greg's approach to his body and health is much more likely to cause stress to your mind and body instead of fixing it, and his talk has a lot of warning signs of disordered eating and an unhealthy relationship with his body (not to mention unrealistic expectations that many can't fulfill). Even for specifically weight, it's better to work with a licensed dietician (or your country's equivalent of a medically licensed nutrition/diet professional) and, for those who struggle with eating and dieting, a psychologist that specializes in disordered eating. Ultimately all the stress, anxiety, shame, and/or use of mental energy from struggling to discipline yourself into new habits can leave you worse off, especially if it turns out all that you've tried to work for isn't actually based in medical consensus.

[@kida026]

I just watched this for the first time and you might not even see this reply 2 years later, but I feel compelled to say your comment is exceptionally judgy and full of assumptions. You're not wrong that talking to your therapist and doctor is a good idea when you are considering your mental and physical health, that is a given. But to assume that this guy has issues because he's highly motivated and follows a regimen is ridiculous. The truth is that anyone is capable of making changes to themselves, and through self-discipline and repeated action new ideas can become part of who you are. All you have to do is actually want to do it and put forth the effort. If you're using your "mental energy and struggling to discipline yourself" then I would argue that you don't really want to put forth the effort (and that's okay). If you want life to be "easy" for you then by all means, continue to go through the motions and do whatever brings you comfort. Counter to that, if you want to enact positive change in yourself, then you have to take up the challenge and make it happen. Again, this is not a one-size-fits all mantra, but for those it works for it can work wonders. Just because something doesn't work for you doesn't make it bad. Instead of criticizing the man you should be proud of him for being motivated and making positive change.

[@euchale]

Thanks for a great set of talks!

[@melissapeterson1423]

Really enjoyed this!

[@Trypyyyy]

At 51:33 A person asked a hypothetical question about how to manage a team scattered all over the place. Little did we all know that 2 years later, we would all wfh. I want to know who asked the question

[@JackyRogue]

That was my father

[@dannyhwangbo]

HOPES is super cool!🤩

[@aidenrodgers681]

Shortest 20 seconds of my life

[@aidenrodgers681]

30*

[@infiniteloop7072]

yea wtf?

[@Donovoi]

Is Grant South African?

[@gshonk]

Nope! Just a rugby player/fan who traveled to SA and bought a sweet jersey.

[@Donovoi]

Got Exited for a bit.. I thought someone from my country was making it big on the game dev scene :p

[@saibamoe]

so you talk ;3 a lot