At the risk of making the article title sound like clickbait, I can collectively refer to these skills through a singular, but broad, term: communication skills.

I don't mean marketing, although that does require strong communication skills. I mean being able to figuratively and literally stand in front of people, whatever their relationship is to you, and say what you need to say articulately, clearly and in a way that everyone can understand. You need to be convincing, even when you might be wrong or are doubting yourself, and especially if you're in a leadership role.


So:

• Speaking or writing...
• Addressing team members, partners, employees, potential investors or customers...
• Pitching, teaching, motivating, documenting or asking questions...

I'd rank this high in any sector, but perhaps in games I would place it at the very top.

Why?

• We're not just a creative industry, where clarity and unambiguity is always necessary, but a creative-technical mix, which makes it exponentially more important
• Remote teams are very common
• Very noisy industry, so it's the clear voice that stands out
• Mix of experienced and inexperienced individuals, across the board
• Global. Multi-cultural.
• Not just hit-driven but also brand- and personality-driven

Stephen