Having a mentor is like having a guide on a journey – someone who can offer advice, support, and direction when you need it most. But while the benefits of mentorship are clear for mentees, good mentorship has bonuses for mentors too. At the 2023 Game Developers Conference, Game Director Andy Schmoll breaks down how we can be a good mentor and how mentorship can have an impact on leadership and the cultivation of more inclusive teams.
What does it mean to be a mentor?
Mentors help mentees identify their strengths, explore possible career pathways, and navigate the industry. Mentors can also aid in developing a support network and facilitating meaningful connections and engaging conversations. Drawing from their own experiences, mentors can teach mentees frameworks to handle different situations and apply knowledge effectively.
“Throughout my career, I had mentors who always supported me whenever I needed them. They showed me how to form my own network, shared their own experiences, taught me best practices, and always listened,” says Andy. “Most important, they always believed in me and always had my back throughout each stage of my career.”
As part of the studio’s ambassador program, Andy has been a mentor for Hack the ROM and the Ubisoft Toronto Indie Series presented by National Bank. They mentored several students and indie studios across Ontario, providing them with coaching and training to make the most of their skills.
Who can be a mentor?
Anyone can be a mentor, regardless of experience or background. Senior developers or individuals with more experience can serve as mentors, while junior developers can facilitate peer-to-peer mentorships. Sharing knowledge and building mentorship skills is essential for everyone to grow and excel in their careers.
Mentorship can come from your own colleagues, making it convenient to find someone who can provide feedback and guidance in your workplace. However, it’s also worthwhile to seek out mentors beyond your immediate workspace. These individuals can offer different methods, approaches, and insights that can broaden your perspective and knowledge.
What are the benefits of mentorship?
Although mentorship is often associated with benefits for the mentee, it is also highly advantageous for the mentor.
Open new perspectives – The mentor-mentee relationship provides opportunities for continuous learning and growth. It allows individuals to broaden their horizons and gain diverse perspectives, enabling them to break through their limits and develop empathy.
Hone leadership skills – Mentors develop a wide range of skills such as active listening, effective communication, empathy, relationship-building and more. These skills help them further improve their leadership and management skills.
Create opportunities – Mentorship is also a tool for creating new opportunities— especially for marginalized developers— opening doors and forging connections for people or groups who may not have access, reducing deep-rooted biases and fostering a more inclusive industry.
How can you be a good mentor/leader?
Active listening – Being a good mentor means being a good listener. When engaging in a conversation with someone, it is important to pay attention to what they are saying and how they are saying it; be mindful of their body language. Avoid preparing counterarguments mentally while mentees are still talking.
“Learning is not unidirectional. You can learn from your mentees, and they can learn from you. To foster this mutual learning, show genuine interest in their topics, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate a willingness to broaden your own horizons while acknowledging your knowledge gaps.”
Treat people with respect and empathy – Take responsibility for creating a safe and inclusive space. This may include being aware of cultural and religious holidays, pronouncing names correctly, staying up-to-date on current events, and learning about marginalized communities. However, be mindful not to burden your mentee with all of the research work. Conduct your own research and remain open to learning about others’ realities. If your studio has resource groups, consider reaching out to them for additional information.
Support skill development and professional growth – Mentors and leaders should identify areas of improvement and help their mentees develop their strengths. They should also be open to learning while teaching and create opportunities for growth. They adapt information to suit the mentee’s knowledge level and create a safe environment for people from diverse backgrounds. They learn from differing perspectives, anticipate obstacles proactively, and acknowledge their knowledge gaps.
Coach, don’t instruct – Being a good mentor means not being afraid to ask questions, acknowledge mistakes, and encourage mentees to take ownership of their growth. Good mentors offer support to solutions rather than providing solutions directly, which promotes independence and self-reliance. They should create a safe and supportive space where mentees feel comfortable making mistakes and taking risks.
Provide high-quality feedback – Mentors should offer honest and actionable feedback that mentees can apply to their current work. Teaching best practices that are relevant to the project can also be helpful. Point mentees towards useful resources such as articles, books, talks, and videos relevant to their specific job needs. If possible, consider sharing one’s own work examples.
“A good leader is able to provide meaningful and actionable feedback, primarily based on facts rather than emotions. Personally, I utilize the SBI method to provide feedback, which stands for situation, behavior, and impact. This approach describes a situation based on observed facts and removes emotions from the feedback.”
What does mentorship not include?
Mentorship is not a one-size-fits-all approach and it’s crucial for mentors to recognize and respect individual differences. A good mentor listens carefully to their mentee’s unique needs and experiences, and tailors their approach accordingly to help grow their mentee’s skill sets.
“People have individual situations and problems, and they need individual solutions. Figure out what is best for your mentee; don’t look in a book and try to apply whatever is written there. You have to use your active listening skills and figure out what the right way to approach the challenge is.”
It’s also important for mentors to avoid gatekeeping resources and not charge for mentorship, This evens the playing field, makes it more accessible and lowers the barrier of entry for people who otherwise may not have access to such resources.
“I was fortunate to have mentors throughout my career, especially in the early stages where more experienced game developers supported and connected me with friends and peers. They showed me how to form my own network and shared their experiences and crucial information to help me anticipate problems that could arise. With that knowledge, I was able to advance in the industry. Their guidance inspired me to give back and become a mentor myself.”
About GDC
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is an annual event that brings together professionals in the video game industry, including game developers, publishers, producers, designers, artists, and audio professionals, as well as business executives and investors. GDC provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest trends, technologies, and techniques in game development, as well as to network and collaborate with other professionals in the industry.
The conference typically features a wide range of presentations, workshops, and panels on topics such as game design, programming, production, audio, art, and business, as well as keynote speeches from industry leaders.
