Bringing The Character of You to Life's Stage

"Practice means to perform, over and over again, in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired." - Martha Graham ?

Rehearse You ?

This month I went from playing the role of Erma Bombeck to shifting back into playing the role of…me.?I know there are stories of actors who so completely become their characters they don’t even like to be called by their real names (i.e., Daniel Day-Lewis requiring everyone to call him “Mr. President” on set).?

I am not one of them.?

But it still took a bit of decompression and letting go of Erma (and the wig) to allow myself to take the stage again as me. Within one week I was back on the road delivering keynotes, coaching my clients with new learning to share, and facilitating team meetings to build trust and confidence in the collective. That meant letting go not only of the words that I said every show for 8 shows a week (while trying to ignore my husband constantly quoting them back to me). And most important, taking the time to “rehearse” me.?

I know it’s a strange concept. How do you rehearse you? Rehearsing sounds strange when we’re talking about being authentic and truthful. But most of us have suppressed aspects of ourselves for a long time. We need to practice bringing our full character to life so that we can feel comfortable and natural in the moment.

I had to not only consider the content I would provide that would have an impact on every audience I encountered, but how my behavior could help develop and change my audience. Otherwise I literally could have just given them my slides. My performance mattered!

Here’s some insight into how to rehearse you:?

Try to imagine the kind of situation where you struggle to be authentic. Maybe it’s when you need to contribute during a team meeting or speak in public on a large stage or have a tough conversation with someone—any situation that often makes you think, “Uh! I wish I had said or done …”?

When you’ve got one in mind ask yourself these questions:?

• How would my “character” behave??
• What would my “character” do??
• What would my “character” say??
• If being me is based on my chosen core values, my strengths, my internal motivators how can they translate to my behavior in this situation??
• What about the situation is making me hold back aspects of who I am?

The next time you need to be you in uncomfortable circumstances - try to bring that “character” of you to life on the stage, in the conference room, or on the zoom. ?

Yes, focus on developing content for this audience. But remember content without character and performance is just words on the page. ?You bring it to life with every fiber of your being – so “rehearse YOU” and see what happens.?

I imagine you will hear thunderous applause.?

The OUTLAW ONE this month is the exciting new book by my friend and workplace expert, Erica Keswin .?

The book is the third and final installment in her Human Workplace Trilogy. ?It covers all of the workplace topics we are thinking about these days: flexibility for all, professional and personal development, elevating and celebrating our middle managers, onboarding in a hybrid world, women in the workplace, and more.

I’m so proud to know Erica and the difference she is making in the workplace with her perspective and the stories she shares in this book.?Engagement shouldn’t be a conundrum – it should be the foundation of all success in the workplace.?In this new book Erica provides takeaways that will transform the workplace for good.?

As always, I look forward to the opportunity to work with you or your organization to grow your EDGE: Explore, Dream, Grow & Excite? and to stay connected through this newsletter.

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