Embracing the Unexpected

Lessons from Broadway / West End Theatre Director, Hal Prince for Today's Business Leaders

Last week, someone asked me, who had made the most impact in my business career. I surprised them by saying Hal Prince, the late legendary theatre director. After University, I spent a few brilliant years appearing in London's West End and had the 'life-changing' experience of being in a production, originally directed by Hal Prince. With any change of cast in the West End, Hal would fly over from New York and put the new cast 'through their paces' and ensure we were following the original direction and giving us a masterclass. These visits from Hal remain still etched into my mind as a moment of meeting and learning from someone who had taken risks, pushed boundaries, and held onto values and high standards, yet allowed the cast to interpret the character in their own style.

Hal famously wisely stated years ago in an interview:

"I like to do everything you can possibly do before you go into rehearsal because once we are in rehearsal or on the stage there will be a problem I didn't anticipate. It's really good to think we got it all nailed, of course, you've never got it all nailed."

This sentiment resonates deeply in the world of business today. In our fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape, meticulous preparation is crucial. Just as a director prepares his cast for every detail before stepping onto the stage, we too must anticipate challenges and strategize effectively in our business life.

However, we must also embrace the reality that no plan is foolproof.

Unexpected obstacles will arise, and adaptability becomes our strongest ally. Here are a few takeaways from Hal Prince's approach that we can apply to our business practices:

1. Thorough Preparation: Invest time in research, planning, and team alignment. The more prepared you are, the better equipped you'll be to tackle unforeseen challenges
2. Collaborative Rehearsals: Encourage open communication and collaboration within your team. Rehearsals in business can take the form of brainstorming sessions, simulations, or feedback loops that help identify potential issues before they become crises
3. Embrace Flexibility: The ability to pivot in response to unexpected developments is vital. Foster a culture of innovation and agility where your team feels empowered to adapt and experiment, and always encourage and celebrate improvisation.
4. Continuous Learning: Just as every performance is a chance to learn, every project offers insights. Reflect on what worked, what didn't, and how you can improve for the next endeavor.
5. Respond to your audience: Sometimes you have to work harder for a matinee audience and always remember that people have paid 'top dollar' to be part of an experience and you rely on the longevity of productions by good reviews, word of mouth recommendations, and some sprinkling of 'something special'.

Hal Prince's journey teaches us that while we can strive for perfection, it's the ability to navigate the unpredictable that truly defines our success. Let's embrace both preparation and flexibility as we lead our teams and clients into the future, jazz hands are a bonus!

#Leadership #BusinessStrategy

#Adaptability #ContinuousImprovement

#HalPrince #TheatreToBusiness #socialmedia #teamwork #marketing #communications #corporatecommunications #eventmanagement