Chief Change Officer Podcast Episode #201: Benedikt Oehmen – From Game Development to Career Redevelopment – Part One

Introduction

In episode #201 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes Benedikt Oehmen, a seasoned professional who transitioned from a 17-year tenure at Blizzard Entertainment to becoming a career coach. This episode delves into Benedikt's journey, exploring his experiences with corporate loyalty, the impact of organizational shifts, and his evolution into a coach dedicated to helping others navigate career transitions.

Guest Background: Benedikt Oehmen’s Journey with Blizzard

Benedikt Oehmen begins by sharing his origins and early career path. Born near Cologne and Düsseldorf in Germany, he moved to Heidelberg in 2001 to study physics. However, inspired by his brother, Benedikt took a semester off to work for Blizzard Entertainment in France, near Paris. What was initially intended as a short-term stint quickly blossomed into a 17-year-long career.

“I took the semester off, started at Blizzard. I loved it so much that from the half year I was taking off originally that quickly became one year. Then I changed from customer support to community management and communications and then I stayed for 17 years total instead of a quick semester and then going back.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [05:07]

At Blizzard, Benedikt transitioned from customer support for World of Warcraft to community management and communications. He highlights the collaborative environment and the sense of family within the company:

“It was really a magical time. Like we couldn't believe we got so lucky to be working at the single best company in gaming and having this for a job, making money with it, and basically having this second family away from home.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [07:44]

Organizational Shifts and the Onset of Change

Benedikt describes how Blizzard’s merger with Activision marked a turning point in his career. The company’s priorities shifted from creating epic gaming experiences to focusing on profitability, leading to substantial layoffs and cultural changes.

“After a couple of years, everything that we heard in discussions, which was a strong departure from the original values that brought me to Blizzard making the most epic experiences with gamers for gamers.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [07:44]

In 2018, Blizzard announced a significant reduction of 30% in their Versailles office workforce, a shocking development for Benedikt and his colleagues who felt a strong familial bond with the company.

“So there was a lot of change management to be done somewhere where I thought, great, I can make a positive difference here for the people to actually remove roadblocks, make their lives easier so they can get the stuff that do they that do best.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [14:07]

Despite efforts to stabilize, the challenges persisted, leading to further layoffs in 2020 with the complete closure of the Versailles office. This series of events catalyzed Benedikt's decision to leave Blizzard and pursue a new path.

Transition to Coaching: Finding a New Mission

The culmination of these experiences led Benedikt to discover his passion for coaching. Reflecting on his journey, he explains how supporting his team during layoffs ignited his interest in helping others navigate similar crises.

“But also for me in that moment I realized, wow, like coaching, I really resonate with that. Not telling people what to do, but listening to them...”
— Benedikt Oehmen [17:28]

Benedikt pursued coaching certification, solidifying his commitment to this new career. He emphasizes the importance of autonomy and working with individuals who share his values of passion and authenticity.

“I'm not bound to a corporate overlord who tells me what to do and where my priorities are... they’re just unapologetically passionate about what they're doing.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [17:28]

Philosophy on Career Transitions: Opportunities vs. Setbacks

When discussing why people struggle with viewing career transitions as opportunities, Benedikt attributes it to mindset and perspective. He believes that how individuals choose to engage with career changes determines whether they see them as setbacks or opportunities for growth.

“It comes down to your point of view and how you choose to engage with that event in your life.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [23:27]

Benedikt advocates for a proactive approach, encouraging individuals to prepare for potential changes by identifying their passions and building relevant skills. This resilience fosters a more positive outlook and accelerates the healing process during transitions.

“Nothing in this world is 100% safe. Nothing is being granted or forever... you can prepare yourself each day a little bit with stuff that makes sense for you in the future.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [23:27]

The Big Three Framework: Kind, Present, Open

Central to Benedikt’s coaching philosophy is his proprietary framework, the Big Three: Kind, Present, and Open. This framework serves as a foundational guide for clients to navigate their career transitions effectively.

1. Kind: Emphasizes self-acceptance and focusing on existing strengths rather than perceived losses.

   “Being kind to me is all about self-acceptance, embracing the good things in our life and not looking at what we think we are missing.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen [27:24]

2. Present: Encourages individuals to stay grounded in the current moment while actively planning their future.

   “Being present is all about enabling that self-motivated and self-driven behavior.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen [27:24]

3. Open: Involves being receptive to new opportunities and establishing systems that support gradual progress towards goals.

   “Being open comes in and we put systems and habits into place to become that person, our future self that will overcome all these challenges.”
   — Benedikt Oehmen [27:24]

Benedikt shares how the Big Three framework was instrumental not only in his coaching but also in achieving personal milestones, such as writing his book by breaking down daunting tasks into manageable daily actions.

“I reframed I want to write a book into I want to become an author. And an author is just somebody who writes a little bit every day.”
— Benedikt Oehmen [27:24]

Conclusion: Empowering Others Through Change

Benedikt Oehmen's transition from a long-term role at Blizzard to a dedicated career coach embodies the essence of Chief Change Officer’s mission to harness change as a superpower. His insights into maintaining resilience, fostering a positive mindset, and implementing structured frameworks provide invaluable guidance for listeners facing their own career challenges.

As Benedikt eloquently puts it, embracing change with kindness, presence, and openness can transform career transitions into profound opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Long-Term Loyalty: Benedikt’s 17-year journey at Blizzard highlights the evolving nature of corporate loyalty and the importance of adaptability.

• Navigating Organizational Change: The merger with Activision and subsequent layoffs underscore the impact of corporate restructuring on employee morale and career trajectories.

• Mindset Matters: Viewing career transitions through a lens of opportunity rather than setback fosters resilience and accelerates recovery.

• The Big Three Framework: Kindness, presence, and openness serve as effective pillars for managing career change and achieving personal goals.

• Empowerment Through Coaching: Benedikt’s shift to coaching reflects a commitment to helping others harness their potential amidst uncertainty.

Listeners seeking to outgrow themselves and embrace ambitious change will find Benedikt’s experiences and strategies both relatable and actionable, aligning perfectly with the podcast’s mission to empower change-makers worldwide.