Been doing the game thing for 20 years and think I have an answer for the one skill that is indispensable:
Be the person who raises the energy level in the room. If you do that, people will love working with you and your projects will shine.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018
And to make this more than a vague exhortation – I've found that asking questions helps. Example: Writer proposes something I don't really like. Instead of just being negative, I take a moment to really understand my reaction and find a way to phrase as a question.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018
Let’s say someone proposes a grim dark fantasy thing, and I don’t like it because I think it’s cliche these days. I might ask, “What would you do to make this stand out from Warhammer or Game of Thrones? What’s makes it distinct?” The secret is that if I'm being honest with myself, and I realize my critique is dumb, idiosyncratic, or reflexive without real thought, I just drop it. Forces me to focus on conversations that drive us forward and actually matter.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018
Reverse is true, too – if you love a pitch, think about why and focus on questions that build on that. Funny thing I’ve noticed is that my questions kind of end up looking similar if I like or dislike a pitch. At the end of the day, writers, artists, and creators like solving problems, and questions engage that maker mentality that pushes people to do this stuff for a living. Questions are more valuable than answers, IMO.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018
this is also a really good DMing skill. You know, I probably learned it as part of going from being a crap DM to being one who knows enough to understand when I'm on point and when I'm floundering.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018
dude everything i ever do i learned from rpgs. business meetings, relationships, it’s all communication learned from sitting at a table for HOURS making sure conversations work properly and people contribute good stuff. This is why the 21st century needs RPGs! This is the century of communication.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018