Lights, Leadership, Action! Unleashing Theater's Secrets for Boss-Level Leadership

“Don’t make me use my theater voice!” proclaims a fridge magnet sitting in its pride of place on my fridge door. I bought this many moons ago from the Lincoln Center in Washington where I had gone to watch an interactive play. And this message simply jumped at me.??

The slogan made me reflect on the first ever lesson I got as a manager, from one of the best bosses I had ever had, at the beginning of my career.??

A colleague was sitting screaming in frustration in the work bay, rightly so we thought, at a team member who had again, for the umpteenth time got something wrong. He called us all managers inside and said, “Whatever you do, always give personal feedback in a private room, never in public, and never scream.” Hence, the association with theater voice.?

Many years later when I finally got to fulfill a long-standing dream to act in theater, I realized that a lot of lessons we learn on stage are applicable in all areas of our life including the workplace. After all, didn’t Shakespeare famously say – “All the world’s a stage?”?

So, today I decided to grab my imaginary director's chair and dive into the world of stagecraft-meets-leadership, to see in how many ways the two worlds intersect.?

Command the stage, command the Boardroom: Showcasing your leadership swagger?

Ever watched a play or a movie and got struck by a character, even if s/he doesn’t have too many lines?? Their presence so strong that they refuse to leave your imagination??

That’s what I would call “stage presence.”?

If there is one thing that theater has taught me, its own space whether the light is focused on you (or not). In a recent performance in a play, while my character was sitting at the back, as other actors performed, I decided to do some improv and play with the props on stage though I had no lines. Once the play was over, so many people came over to say they loved what I did even when not saying lines. It reinforced what I had learned in the theater - presence matters.??

But a lot of things go into creating that aura beginning with self-confidence. In our training as actors, we do many exercises to develop our body language, vocal oomph and swagger which eventually goes into everyone sitting up and taking notice.??

Fake it till you make it?

Acting is nothing but make-believe, but to be a convincing actor you have to believe in the truth of your character. If on stage you have to believe you are in sweltering heat in an ac auditorium then that’s what you have to do for the audience to feel the heat with you. But to be that you have to train and as they say, fake it till you make it.

Conquering self-doubt is the biggest contributor to success in stage and in life.??

I once watched a play by a very famous actor who had to show snowfall in Kashmir on stage in Delhi. Apart from the special effects, the way he performed made me shiver in the Delhi heat!?

The same lesson can be carried over in an office setting. For instance, ever struggled with speaking up in a team meeting? Clearing your doubts or watching as someone else asks or shares the exact same insight and takes all the credit? Then take heart. If you rehearse, write, practice and start with small meetings, soon you will have learned to channel your inner diva (or divo) and learn to rule the stage... er, boardroom! Believing you are the best will help you deliver your best.?

Improv like a pro: Leadership lessons from on-the-spot wonders?

Who needs a script when you've got lightning-fast improv skills? In theater, as actors, one of the first things we learn is to improvise. You can call it, “the superpower of thinking on your feet.”??

I cannot even count the number of times I have forgotten lines on stage and had a co-actor pick up the scene or do the same for someone else. But if you ask the audience, they would not have missed a thing! Of course, this leans into teamwork as much as improv but this is how we learn to embrace the unexpected, adapt to curveballs and lead our team with grace, even in the wackiest situations!?

Imagine a theater actor performing in a live show when suddenly the lights go out! Instead of panicking, they quickly adapt by using their voice and body language to keep the audience engaged until the lights come back on.??

In the corporate world, an employee might encounter a technology glitch during a crucial video conference. Taking a cue from our thespian friends, they stay calm and find alternative ways to communicate effectively, ensuring the meeting goes smoothly.?

Ever gone into a client pitch where you are bombarded with useless questions completely off track? Or, in a high-stakes meeting asked things completely out of course. The art of thinking on your feet can help you and your team come out of such situations and even win accolades!?

Authenticity: No masks, just real talk in leadership?

Forget the masks, it's all about keeping it real in both theater and leadership. On stage as in the world of leadership embracing authenticity can make you a shining star.?

You cannot tell a story unless you have deeply felt it. Empathy is a sword in the hands of an actor/director/storyteller.

Imagine a skilled theater actor delivering a powerful monologue that moves the audience to tears. They understand the importance of using emotion and passion to connect with people.??

During a theatre festival, I watched an actor, do a one-man act on how airlines have goof-ups. The act had us, an audience of 100+ in splits. It wasn’t just the strength of the script but the way he said it that connected with us. We knew that he knew that we knew EXACTLY how it felt!?

At the workplace too, bosses who lend you an empathetic ear, understand your situation in challenging times, go out on a limb for you, or even share their vulnerable moments to help you, are the ones who leave a mark. These are the people who become true mentors.

That’s where the stage and corporate again intersect. It's only by forging genuine connections, embracing vulnerability (cue the dramatic tears), and inspiring others with your unapologetically fabulous self can you leave a mark on the stage and the boardroom!?

Embracing failure as a stepping stone??

The life of an actor is full of rejections and auditions where often they never hear back from the casting director. Can you imagine the kind of persistence and courage one needs to continue? That’s where a never-defeated spirit can help you.?

After years of acting in theatre, I finally mustered the courage to give my first onscreen audition. But my worst fears came true when I was turned back from the gate because I was “not fit” for the role. It took me another year to muster the courage to give auditions again and learn it is par for the course for actors.??

I also learned that instead of feeling defeated, taking rejection as an opportunity to improve my acting skills was more important.??

In the corporate world too, a salesperson might lose a big deal, or a client pitch could go wrong but rather than giving up, it's important to review our approach, learn from our mistakes, and come back stronger for the next pitch.?

Being fearless and taking risks??

In theater, some of the most memorable performances come from actors who take bold risks, whether it's trying a new approach to a character or improvising on stage.??

An actor friend once shared this story, while shooting for a film, an actor went so much into character that he went ahead and did an act that wasn’t scripted or practiced. The director instead of saying cut, kept that scene that went on to become a hit with the audience!?

In the corporate world, innovative companies take calculated risks to stay ahead of the competition. They might launch a disruptive product, enter a new market, or adopt a groundbreaking business model, knowing that taking risks can lead to extraordinary rewards.??

The art of storytelling??

Storytelling is the heart and soul of theatre. Actors bring characters to life through compelling narratives.?In the corporate world, storytelling is equally essential. Whether you're pitching a new idea or trying to win over investors, a well-crafted story can captivate hearts and minds, leaving a lasting impression.?

Picture yourself in a job interview. You can list your skills and experiences like a robot, or you can share your journey, experiences, and passions in a way that makes the interviewer feel connected to you as a person.?

End of the day, in my experience, stage life reflects real life in the corporate world. My last two bits? The next time you find yourself in the corporate jungle, channel your inner thespian, and let the show begin!??

Do you have a passion or are you a theatre professional and do you have similar tales to share? Do comment below, would love to learn from your experiences too.?

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