Meet Keith Pichelman

We were lucky to catch up with Keith Pichelman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Keith, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Growing up, I witnessed my father embark on numerous business ventures, many of which did not succeed. However, his resilience and forward-looking attitude left a profound impact on me. He never dwelled on failures; instead, he eagerly anticipated the next opportunity. This experience taught me not to fear taking significant risks, like starting a company, because failure is merely a stepping stone to the next venture.

Reflecting on my current company, I often ponder what it would take to achieve remarkable success. I firmly believe that countless ideas and strategies could propel us forward; we just need to identify a few that work. The belief in the abundance of opportunities fuels my excitement and optimism for the future. Every failure is not a setback but an elimination of one more obstacle on our path to finding our next significant breakthrough.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
In 2003, I co-founded Concrete Software with the goal of developing mobile games, positioning us as pioneers in the mobile gaming industry during a time when mobile phones were still emerging and far from the smartphones we know today. Over the past two decades, I’ve found immense joy in creating games that entertain people globally. However, my true passion lies in collaborating with our game development teams. I cherish working together to innovate and enhance our games continuously.

Today, our team of around 30 individuals has collaborated on iconic titles such as Tetris and UNO and secured partnerships with some of the largest sports brands, including the PGA TOUR and PBA. It’s incredibly motivating to wake up each day and work alongside a passionate, rockstar team that shares a deep love for gaming.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey with Concrete Software, three qualities have been particularly pivotal:

Resilience: The mobile industry has seen tremendous changes over the last two decades, from the decline of BlackBerry to the rise of smartphones like the iPhone and Android devices. We’ve faced numerous ups and downs, and it’s during the challenging times that resilience has been most crucial. Staying determined and working tirelessly to overcome obstacles has been essential for our recovery and success.

Optimism: Believing in our ability to achieve our goals has been fundamental. I liken it to playing golf – focusing on the hazard will likely lead to failure. Optimism not only boosts my morale but also helps in rallying our team towards our common objectives, making it a critical component of our leadership and company culture.

Open-mindedness: Maintaining a broad perspective on our operations has been vital. The tech landscape is constantly evolving, necessitating numerous pivots in our strategy to stay relevant and thrive. Being open to change and adaptable has enabled us to navigate through the industry’s shifts successfully.

These qualities have not only shaped our approach to business but also supported our growth and adaptation through two decades of rapid and significant industry changes.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, my go-to strategy is utilizing task lists. I meticulously write down everything that needs to be done, prioritizing the most urgent tasks at the top. This practice significantly reduces my stress levels by ensuring that nothing important is forgotten. I even include recurring tasks in my lists, such as weekly garbage disposal or daily vitamin intake, to automate their inclusion without extra effort. This system also extends to numerous work-related tasks, allowing me to clearly see and prioritize my responsibilities. Interestingly, this process often helps me identify tasks that are not as critical, allowing them to naturally move down the list, which is incredibly helpful in managing my workload efficiently.

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