You don’t have to big yourself up or beat yourself up

In our fast-paced and ever-evolving world, striking a balance between self-confidence and humility can significantly impact one’s career. In my experience leading game teams over the last three decades, the mantra “You don’t have to big yourself up or beat yourself up” serves as a powerful guide for how professionals can show up effectively at work. Let’s explore the importance of this mantra with a few examples from the realm of video game development.

The Power of Self-Confidence
Confidence is a vital component of success in any field, and video game development is no exception. A healthy level of self-confidence enables professionals to tackle challenges head-on, take creative risks, and contribute innovative ideas to the team. Consider a scenario where a game designer believes in the uniqueness of their concept for a new game mechanic. Their confidence may inspire the team to explore uncharted territories and push the boundaries of what is possible in the gaming genre. A game designer proposes a novel gameplay mechanic for an upcoming project, drawing inspiration from unconventional sources. Their confidence in the idea motivates the team to experiment, leading to a groundbreaking feature that distinguishes the game in a saturated market.

However, it’s essential to recognise that self-confidence can morph into arrogance and that is detrimental for the team and the project. The gaming industry, like so many knowledge-based industries, thrives on collaboration and teamwork, and being open to feedback and diverse perspectives is crucial. Striking a balance between confidence and humility fosters an environment where ideas can flourish and individuals can grow both personally and professionally.

How can you recognise that you might be tipping over from confidence into arrogance? It can be tricky. Watch for signs such as a dismissive attitude toward others’ contributions, a reluctance to accept constructive feedback, and an excessive focus on personal achievements without acknowledging team efforts. Perhaps you catch yourself interrupting or dominating conversations, or showing an unwillingness to admit mistakes, and a constant need for validation. Insensitive behavior, isolation from team dynamics, and a habit of constantly comparing yourself to others are also indicators we can watch out for. If you notice an entitlement mentality creeping in, where you believe you deserve special treatment, it’s crucial to engage in regular self-reflection and seek feedback from trusted colleagues to maintain a healthy balance between self-confidence and arrogance. This give you the best chance of ensuring positive relationships and collaborative environments.

The Pitfalls of Self-Doubt
On the flip side, excessive self-doubt can hinder one’s progress. Imagine a talented programmer who constantly questions their abilities, leading to missed opportunities for career advancement. The “beat yourself up” mentality can stifle creativity and innovation, causing suffering for the individual and hindering the overall success of a project.

It’s a quirk of the human condition that we all recognise that mistakes and setbacks are inherent in any creative endeavour when we are thinking about other people’s efforts. In this mode, thinking about others, we can quickly move on to channelling our energy into finding solutions and continually improving our craft. However when we think about our own efforts we can all too often end up dwelling on perceived shortcomings. The challenge is, can you be as compassionate to yourself as you would be to someone else on your team?

When confronted with self-doubt, a useful technique is to act as your own coach and ask yourself some specific questions.

What is triggering this self-doubt? Are my expectations realistic? Start by pinpointing the specific triggers and assessing the realism of your expectations.

What evidence supports my self-doubt, and what evidence contradicts it? Have I faced similar challenges before, and how did I overcome them? Ask yourself what evidence supports your self-doubt and what contradicts it, drawing parallels with past experiences and the strategies that aided your resilience.

What advice would I give to a friend going through a similar situation? Envision advising a friend in a similar situation and extend that same compassion to yourself. This can put you in objective mode.

What are my strengths and accomplishments? Am I comparing myself to others? Reinforce a positive mindset by questioning your strengths and recalling past achievements, steering clear of detrimental comparisons with others.

Working through these reflective questions can help us cultivate resilience and approach self-doubt with a more balanced perspective. The humility arising from this self reflection also helps team collaboration. For example, a programmer encounters difficulties in implementing a complex algorithm. Instead of struggling in isolation, they humbly seek input from colleagues, fostering collaboration that results in a more efficient and elegant solution. The success of the project is attributed to the collective efforts of the team.

Summary
In the competitive and dynamic landscape of video game development, embodying the mantra “You don’t have to big yourself up or beat yourself up” is a powerful guide to navigating the workplace and contributing to a engaged and motivated team. Balancing self-confidence with humility allows professionals to contribute their best work, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. By embracing this mindset, individuals can create a thriving and supportive environment that propels both personal and collective success.

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