Leadership, Like Acting, Is a Subtle Art

Leadership magnifies you, just as a stage magnifies an actor. Remember that, the next time you feel inclined to be dramatic.

To illustrate, listen to this story by actor, Michael Cain, when rehearsing a role that involves him playing a drunken man on stage:

“I was cast as a drunkard and at my first rehearsal I came staggering onto the stage, then swayed about a bit. The director held up his hand.

‘Cut. What do you think you are doing, Michael?’

‘I’m drunk in this scene’, I explained, failing to hide my irritation that it had not been apparent.

‘I know that’ he said. ‘But what are you doing? You’re giving me a sober man trying to act drunk – I need a drunk man trying to act sober. You’re trying to talk slurred and walk crooked. A real drunk is trying to speak clearly and walk straight.’”

Leadership, like acting, is a subtle art. Don’t overplay it.