Learn from Leaders Podcast

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Learn from Leaders Podcast

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.

  1. #61 - Benjamin Carcich: Founder mode done right

    OCT 7

    #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. Visit 👉 www.favro.com for a free trial or personalized demo of the worlds most modern collaborative management platform. Make work flow with Favro.

    26 min
  2. #60 - Benjamin Carcich: Accountability done right – Individuals & Teams

    OCT 6

    #60 - Benjamin Carcich: Accountability done right – Individuals & Teams

    In this episode of the Learn from Leaders podcast, Patric Palm and Benjamin Carcich discuss practical models for fostering accountability, balancing individual roles with team objectives, and how positive consequences can break fear-based cycles. (00:00) | Intro (00:45) | The Importance of Accountability The episode begins with a discussion on why accountability is crucial for both individuals and teams. It explores how clear accountability drives collaboration, quality, and satisfaction in the workplace. (12:37) | Setting and Negotiating Expectations This section delves into the first step of accountability—setting clear expectations. The conversation highlights the importance of negotiating expectations between leaders and teams to create alignment and foster responsibility. (21:04) | Types of Consequences in Accountability Patric and Benjamin discuss the different types of consequences—positive, negative, and adaptive. They stress the value of positive reinforcement and learning from failure as part of a healthy accountability process. (34:17) | Goal Setting and Verification The conversation shifts to goal-setting, discussing how teams and leaders can structure goals, track progress, and verify outcomes. The importance of adaptive feedback loops is emphasized to ensure ongoing alignment. (45:26) | Individual vs Team Accountability This chapter addresses the balance between holding individuals accountable for their roles and holding teams accountable for shared objectives. The benefits and challenges of both approaches are explored. (57:01) | Self-Managing Teams and Expectations The challenges of self-managing teams are discussed, with a focus on group dynamics and how to build high-performing teams that can effectively manage themselves over time. (1:13:30) | 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. Visit 👉 www.favro.com for a free trial or personalized demo of the worlds most modern collaborative management platform. Make work flow with Favro.

    1h 14m
  3. #59 - Benjamin Carcich: State of Agile, Estimation and Throughput Based Planning

    OCT 6

    #59 - Benjamin Carcich: State of Agile, Estimation and Throughput Based Planning

    In this episode, Patric Palm and his guest discuss the misapplication and challenges of implementing Agile practices in the game development industry. They also touch on how modern techniques like measuring throughput instead of granular estimates can improve production efficiency and outcomes. (00:00) | Intro (00:44) | State of Agile development in the games industry Benjamin explains why Agile in game development feels outdated, lagging behind other industries by 10-15 years. They discuss how early methods, like waterfall, have constrained creativity and innovation in game production. (08:42) | Cynisism towards agile - the mess we have today Agile has become overly structured, leading to cynicism. Instead of embracing Agile’s core values, game developers have adopted rigid frameworks that stifle creativity and collaboration. (19:15) | Working with agile frameworks & tools They discuss how Agile tools, such as daily standups and planning poker, are often misused. The conversation highlights the need for teams to adapt these tools to their specific challenges rather than follow them blindly. (30:48) | Estimation & throughput based planning Benjamin shares insights on how to improve production by using throughput-based planning instead of traditional granular estimates. This approach leads to better accuracy and efficiency in game development timelines. (42:03) | 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. Visit 👉 www.favro.com for a free trial or personalized demo of the worlds most modern collaborative management platform. Make work flow with Favro.

    42 min
  4. #58 - Benjamin Carcich: Live service done right

    OCT 6

    #58 - Benjamin Carcich: Live service done right

    In this episode, of the Learn from Leaders podcast, Patric Palm & Benjamin Carcich delve into the challenges and evolution of the gaming industry, with a focus on the shift towards live service games. The discussion covers how player expectations are driving developers to adopt continuous updates, which has transformed both game development and business strategies. (00:00) | Intro (00:44) | Live service, the future of the games industry? The conversation kicks off with the shift towards live service games. Benjamin explains why this model is becoming the norm, driven by player expectations and technological advancements that allow for continuous updates and bug fixes post-launch. (15:55) | The business promise of live service Patric & Benjamin dive into the business appeal of live service games. The potential for long-term player engagement and recurring revenue makes live service a lucrative model for game developers, though it comes with unique challenges. (18:55) | Successful live games from humble beginnings This chapter highlights how many of today’s most successful live service games, like League of Legends and Counter-Strike, started small. It shows how developers can grow games gradually, sometimes surpassing expectations to become massive industry staples. (22:51) | Iterating under the perfect storm of live service Benjamin discusses the complex reality of running a live service game, where constant iteration and innovation are necessary, all while balancing player satisfaction and avoiding disruptions to the live environment. (31:37) | 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. Visit 👉 www.favro.com for a free trial or personalized demo of the worlds most modern collaborative management platform. Make work flow with Favro.

    32 min
  5. #57 - Benjamin Carcich: Production challenges, Efficiency vs Effectiveness, Incentives, Tools

    OCT 4

    #57 - Benjamin Carcich: Production challenges, Efficiency vs Effectiveness, Incentives, Tools

    In this episode, the Patric Palm & Benjamin Carcich dive into the challenges of game production, discussing leadership struggles, inefficiencies, and the need for better management practices that balance creativity with process. (00:00) | Intro (00:44) | Challenges within Games Production Today The conversation moves to the broader challenges in game production, including leadership struggles, inefficiencies, and the need for better management practices that balance creativity with process. (07:04) | Efficiency vs Effectiveness Ben highlights the industry's tendency to prioritize efficiency over effectiveness, explaining that while efficiency is measurable, true effectiveness comes from meeting or exceeding goals, which often requires a different approach. (11:49) | Aligning Incentive Structures The duo explores the importance of aligning incentive structures to support the right behaviors and outcomes, emphasizing how incentives can drive both positive and negative outcomes within production teams. (19:53) | Simple & Advanced Tools in Production The episode wraps up with a discussion on tools in production, focusing on how simplicity in tools can enhance collaboration and creativity, while also recognizing the need for advanced functionalities that stay "under the hood" to avoid overwhelming teams. (32:54) | 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. Visit 👉 www.favro.com for a free trial or personalized demo of the worlds most modern collaborative management platform. Make work flow with Favro.

    33 min
  6. #56 - Benjamin Carcich: Strategic Decision Making, Articulating the Vision

    OCT 3

    #56 - Benjamin Carcich: Strategic Decision Making, Articulating the Vision

    In this episode, Patric and Benjamin discuss the key challenges and lessons in game development leadership, focusing on the role of producers in driving both creativity and efficiency. The conversation covers: (00:00) | Intro (00:00) | Being Thrown Through the Wall of Your Own Naiveté Benjamin reflects on a pivotal moment in his career where political realities in a company led to his departure. This experience taught him the importance of maintaining self-worth independently of external validation. (11:47) | The Importance of Focus and Strategic Decision-Making Benjamin emphasizes the value of prioritizing focus over multitasking, sharing how he learned to concentrate on one team to drive meaningful progress, rather than spreading himself too thin across multiple projects. (24:52) | The Role of a Producer in Articulating the Vision Patric and Benjamin discuss the producer's role in helping articulate and communicate the creative vision. Benjamin stresses the importance of fostering alignment within teams through effective communication and iteration. (35:13) | 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. Visit 👉 www.favro.com for a free trial or personalized demo of the worlds most modern collaborative management platform. Make work flow with Favro.

    35 min
  7. #55 - Mark Peterson: Building an Awesome Remote-First AAA Studio Backed by VC Money: Learnings Shared

    AUG 6

    #55 - Mark Peterson: Building an Awesome Remote-First AAA Studio Backed by VC Money: Learnings Shared

    Mark explores the challenges of leading and recruiting for distributed teams in the gaming industry. He discusses the difficulty of assessing cultural fit through remote interviews, the need for self-driven team members, and the impact of remote work on leadership. Mark also addresses broader industry issues like rising development costs, market saturation, and the evolving role of AI in game development. He emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and adaptability in achieving success. Guest: Mark Peterson has worked in games and IT since 2007. During his 15+ years, he has worked on projects for companies like T-Mobile, HP, Rovio, Porsche, and Lufthansa and co-founded three studios. From creating Top 10 games for the iOS and Android app stores to working on VR & AR titles as early as the first Occolus DevKit, he has been involved in all aspects of the industry. He has co-founded SPECTARIUM as a fully remote studio working with 35+ team members, with successful VC rounds led by Bitkraft. They are currently working on their co-op cross-platform Action RPG 'MYTHS'. 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 SaaS & Game industry leaders. Challenges from real-world experiences and how some of the best studios and companies have overcome them. Visit 👉 https://favro.com and learn the best collaborative planning, business agility, working-from-anywhere, project management, culture & leadership, and practices.

    1h 14m
  8. #54 - John Veneron: Learnings from a AA studio veteran at running remote first

    JUN 26

    #54 - John Veneron: Learnings from a AA studio veteran at running remote first

    John unpacks the intricacies of managing and collaborating in a remote-first work environment. He shares tips on fostering trust, establishing clear expectations, and maintaining open communication as crucial elements for success. John also explores collaborating with external partners in game development, highlighting how to achieve upfront alignment and establish clear communication channels. Guest: John is a Senior Team Lead and Producer who has been in games since 2007 after joining Harmonix Music Systems. His career spans 17 years spent at Harmonix, Runic Games, teaching at Rochester Institute of Technology, and now at Unknown Worlds. He has worked on the Rock Band, Dance Central and Subnautica series of games, with experience on PC, console, mobile and VR. He aims to grow and empower individuals and teams, and leads with an attitude of tolerance and humor. He is a passionate supporter of growing the industry's next wave of diverse talent. 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 SaaS & Game industry leaders. Challenges from real-world experiences and how some of the best studios and companies have overcome them. Visit 👉 https://favro.com and learn the best collaborative planning, business agility, working-from-anywhere, project management, culture & leadership, and practices.

    1h 17m
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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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