#61 - Benjamin Carcich: Founder mode done right

In this episode of Learn from Leaders, Patric Palm & Benjamin Carcich discuss the concept of leadership balance, focusing on the distinction between "Founder Mode" and "Manager Mode." They dive into the misconceptions surrounding these modes, often oversimplified as micromanagement versus hands-off leadership. Using examples from companies like Larian Studios (Baldur's Gate 3), they emphasize that leadership is about aligning teams with a shared vision and strategically deciding where to engage.

(00:00) | Intro

(00:43) | Founder Mode and Manager Mode

Patric and Benjamin discuss the buzz surrounding "Founder Mode" and "Manager Mode," debunking common misconceptions that oversimplify these leadership styles. They explore the complexities of balancing involvement and delegation.

(06:04) | Balancing Vision and Autonomy

The conversation shifts to how leaders can maintain control over a project's vision while allowing team autonomy, using game development as a primary example.

(11:12) | Successful Examples from Larian Studios

Benjamin shares insights from Larian Studios (Baldur's Gate 3), where CEO Swen Vincke finds the right balance between directing the project’s vision and empowering teams to work independently.

(15:52) | Communicating Vision Effectively

Patric and Benjamin discuss the importance of leading by example and communicating vision in both words and actions, ensuring the entire organization aligns with the CEO’s goals.

(25:28) | Outro

Guest: Benjamin Carcich has spent the last few years helping leaders at studios of all sizes, and recently led the creation of a training for game producers called "Succeeding in Game Production: What You Aren't Taught". Before that, he spent almost a decade at Riot Games shipping champions, tools, maps, and various platform and backend systems, and ended up leading discipline efforts around hiring and the role of production while teaching agile fundamentals around the world. His first job after college was as a Combat Arms officer in the U.S. Army.

Host: Patric Palm – Favro ceo and founder. Serial entrepreneur and tech investor. Mostly games, film, SaaS, AI, deep tech, and functional foods. Passionate about hyper-performing teams and business agility.

Learn from Leaders podcast 🎙️ series focus on Tech & Game industry leaders. Challenges from real-world experiences and how some of the best teams have overcome them.

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