When leaders have some hands-on experience, they’re more likely to develop authentic connections with their teams and external collaborators. To Chris Smith, our guest today, who had spent more than 10 years working at virtually any position in the industry before becoming a CEO, experienced hands-on leaders are kind of a cheat code. 

Chris Smith is the Founder and CEO of Big Esports, an esports and gaming PR consultant firm. Chris has worked in every role in the gaming industry: top-level competitive player, commentator, tournament coordinator, PR and marketing representative, and consultant, to name a few. 

Every new position he got into, he felt that was the job of his life… until he discovered the next one. His passion for gaming and his voracity for learning led him to start his own company. Chris’s diverse journey turned him into a leader who knows every corner of an industry that saw him grow and evolve for the last 12 years. 

In this episode, we have a fantastic conversation about leadership, the evolution of the gaming community, esports and gaming education, and some of the industry’s future trends. Chris kindly shared bits of his background and the attitude and mindset that helped him grow and evolve in the gaming industry. We also discuss what can take someone to “the right room” to meet the right people and forge the beginning of a career in gaming. 

Visit the Big Esports website: https://www.bigesports.gg/

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithymayo/?originalSubdomain=au

or follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithymayo/?hl=es

or Twitter: https://twitter.com/smithymayo?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Full Episode Breakdown:

3:20 – Chris takes us on a trip through his path in the gaming industry. From being a top-level competitive player to CEO of his own company. 

8:51 – A bit of a cheat code. Chris talks about the advantages of being a leader with hands-on experience.

12:41 – Bridging the gap. John and Chris discuss the issue of having people who know a lot about gaming but nothing about business and people who understand business and nothing of gaming.

16:40 – John and Chris talk about how to create opportunities and make connections into the gaming industry. 

22:08 – Having an “others first” mentality. John and Chris talk about the benefits of generating value and love from others before asking for something in return. 

26:30 – About esports education. Chris shares some of the educational projects around esports, how they can provide value and offer solid careers to young people and students.

32:02 – Use a student’s passion to push them into something constructive. Chris talks about the potential of using kids’ passions to guide them into profitable careers in gaming and esports.

37:01 – Future trends on esports. Chris talks about trends, and he offers some advice on what people in the industry should be paying attention to in the following years.

40:03 – Influencers are looking for equity. Chris talks about the rising tendency of influencers launching their own products and putting their own money into things.

46:30 – Chris shares some of the things we can expect from Big Esports in the near future.