Mattering Lab

Game development teams face unique pressures: tight production cycles, cross-functional complexity, and the aftermath of industry-wide restructuring. Leaders need practical ways to rebuild trust, clarify roles, and help people understand how they uniquely contribute to team success.

Mattering Lab specializes in exactly that. We leverage CliftonStrengths, Gallup’s research-backed framework for talent development, to help game development teams build the psychological safety, clarity, and collaboration that make great work, and great games, possible.

mike knox, Founder, Trainer, & Coach

It’s dangerous to go alone…

three sets of white eyes shining in the darkness

Take this…

Every team’s journey is different. Whether you’re building foundations, accelerating alignment, or sustaining transformation over time, here’s how we can work together, using CliftonStrengths, to build the culture your team deserves.

NEW GAME: BUILD FOUNDATIONS

Three core programs that build on each other. Start where your team is, then level up.

Level 1: Foundations

2 hours | $5,000

An introduction to strengths-based development.

Understand individual talent profiles and how they shape team dynamics
Apply strengths immediately to improve day-to-day collaboration and communication
Establish a shared language that reduces friction and increases clarity

Level 2: Team Alignment

4 hours | $9,500

Immersive team experience that deepens the foundations.

Reveal team-wide strengths patterns, imbalances, and blind spots that impact performance
Practice strengths-based collaboration across real team scenarios and challenges
Establish clear team norms and commitments that improve cross-discipline alignment, accelerate decision-making during production cycles, and strengthen accountability across distributed teams

Schedule a discovery call

Level 3: Applied Leadership

8 hours | $18,000

CliftonStrengths integrated with high-impact leadership capabilities to strengthen how leaders motivate, align, and develop their teams.

Includes core strengths content + targeted leadership modules selected to address your team’s most critical challenges:

Change Readiness
Motivating Your Team
Psychological Safety Foundations
Inclusive Leadership
Coaching and Effective Feedback
Communication & Collaboration

Schedule a discovery call

Coaching

More updates coming soon, but I'm sleepy, so my apologies for the unfinished website - mike (06.05.2026)

CONTACT

Email us at info[at]matteringlab.com

For more detailed information on Mattering Lab training and coaching options, download the Mattering Lab Overview

Schedule a discovery call

OUR CLIENTS

“Mike’s wealth of knowledge, coupled with his empathy and thoughtfulness, creates an environment where growth is not just encouraged but inevitable.”

“If you are looking for someone who can professionally coach high-potential leaders of your organizations to maximize their strengths, develop impactful leadership skills, and drive sustainable growth and success, then Mike is person you need!”

“Mike worked with our summer interns and he provided Clifton Strengths assessments for them. The feedback was very positive all around! Mike is also just a joy to work with as well, any organization will benefit from his coaching and team development services!”

“This was one of the best learning and development calls I’ve had, Mike is not only great at his job – he will help you assess yourself and look at your skills and hone them in a different perspective.”

“it was nice to have a different perspective on my life. I loved being able to connect with our group in a new way, we are able to see how we can support each other in a really meaningful way.”

“This workshop helps to put our lives in perspective and be more appreciative and aware of our talents. This knowledge can not only help ourselves but help us help others in achieving greatness.”

“Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but yesterday I had a conflict with a coworker, and I immediately understood why we think differently thanks to the insights from the CliftonStrengths review meeting. It was incredibly helpful.”

Social Impact

Gamers for CHOC is an industry-specific initiative to raise funds for Rady Children’s Health Orange County. To date, Gamers for CHOC has brought together more than 50 organizations in gaming to raise over $700,000, more than $70,000 of which was raised by Mattering Lab through a project our founder, mike knox, calls Chalk for CHOC. Give to CHOC here.

From February 1 through July 31 every year 10% of all Mattering Lab proceeds will be donated to Rady Children’s Health Orange County through Gamers for CHOC.

Women in Games International (WIGI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that champions a safe, inclusive, and diverse workforce in the video game, tabletop, and esports industries with equal access and opportunities for all. Mattering Lab supports WIGI with direct donations as well as pro bono training sessions for the WIGI Mentorship Program. Give to WIGI here.

From August 1 through January 31 every year 10% of all Mattering Lab proceeds will be donated to WIGI.