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Is keeping your head down killing your game?

Many game dev leads survive by following a simple, unwritten rule: don't rock the boat. But staying silent when you see a broken system isn't "playing it smart," it's dodging your responsibility. True leadership isn't about having a perfect record or a flawless game plan; it's about having the courage to stand in the public square, plant a flag, and risk being wrong for the sake of your team.

In this episode, Benjamin Carcich breaks down the uncomfortable reality of what it actually means to lead in an agency-based industry like game dev. He exposes the two primary traps leaders fall into when trying to avoid vulnerability - hiding in plain sight or forcing absolute compliance - and shares a personal story of failure that forced him to choose between self-preservation and the work.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

What genuine leadership looks like when the deck is stacked in your favor, and why it demands courage rather than structural power
Why game development inherently requires an "agency-based" framework instead of a "compliance-based" model to thrive
A simple question to check if you're acting out of fear and failing to lead
What the two extreme survival traps look like and how both destroy team trust
How to build comfort with the unknown so you can confidently tell your team, "I don't know, let's figure it out."

If you're a leader in game dev who is tired of fighting change resistance, feels caught between the demands of senior stakeholders and the needs of your developers, or is endlessly worried that your next big decision might miss the mark and make you look dumb, this episode is for you.

Connect with us:

🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/

🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/

🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/#

🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg

🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames

If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com

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