THIS IS BASED ON A TEXT I RECENTLY SENT TO A FORMER KID/TEEN STUDENT TURNED COLLEAGUE…
We haven’t talked about management at camp much, but I want you to apply EVERYTHING you have learned from me about being on stage to leadership.
This is your Karate Kid moment. Wax on, wax off. Everything I teach in class and at camp is exactly what I teach Fortune 500 leaders at corporate events. Trust yourself, and don’t fear failure.
The Principles of Performance & Leadership
To lead effectively, you must adopt the same mindset that keeps a room full of people engaged and safe:
- Prepare: Just as you study your lines and warm up your voice, prepare for your day. Arrive ready.
- Have Fun: Never at another’s expense, but keep the energy high and the spirit light.
- Analyze the Work: After every session, reflect. Daily learn from your successes and your missteps.
- Lead by Example: You set the tone. If you are focused and present, your team will follow.
Preventative Action: The Lifeguard Mindset
As a lifeguard, we focused on “preventative actions.” The goal is simple: if we do our jobs right, we never have to do damage control.
But when damage control is required—when the unexpected happens—do not panic. You have been preparing for this moment since you were 11 years old. Whether it is a scene gone sideways or a team conflict in the office, use the tools you have honed: “YES AND…” to accept the reality of the situation, and “LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES” to read the room and adapt.
Standing Your Ground
Lead with my #1 rule, “HAVE FUN but NEVER at another’s expense!” When you get serious, folks will listen. They know me as the fun guy. It’s weird when I am NOT that guy. Folks take note.
You cannot possibly prepare for every scenario. Life IS improvisation. The problem is most fear that unknown. Too many panic in the face of new and unexpected.
DON’T PANIC
Stay Calm. Don’t put undue pressure on yourself to know the answer. Listen with your eyes. Most often the solution will present itself.
In comedy, when you TRY to be funny, forcing some perceived BRILLIANT idea on folks it most often bombs. In problem solving, forcing an EASY solution often seems false. Don’t look for band aides to avoid stress in this moment. Listen and dig deep for options.
NEVER PANIC
I you are in the ocean, PANIC = DEATH. When you panic you sink like a rock to the bottom. When you stay calm, you sense the current. You let the water move you where it wants. You wait for the moment swimming hard will do some good. Tread water. Float. Observe with ALL your senses, not just the amateur basic five.
Just about every situation is like this. In many ways, even in a fight to the death, a ninja slows down time by staying calm. When you replace panic, or even thinking, with LISTENING WITH YOUR EYES (or entire body), good instincts takes over.
A Final Note of Confidence
You have my full confidence behind you. Don’t worry about saying the perfect thing every time. Leadership, like improv, is an evolving story. Trust the process, trust your training, and lead with joy.
YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES!!! But fearing making mistakes will leade to bad leadership. Follow my THREE GUIDELINES (HAVE FUN, YES AND…, LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES) and you will be ready to take on any obstacle. And when you don’t the answer, you don’t just have me. You have a family of amazing artists that want YOU to succeed, have your back and are ready to assist.
Know that I TRUST YOU. I would entrust you with my students, my business if I did not think you capable. Now do what you already do on stage. TRUST YOURSELF!
