So, I usually talk about my psychology background as most of my professional career has been in that arena. It may be hard to believe, but I started at a very different spot. When I talk about how I became a therapist, I often start with the phrase: “I wanted to be a movie star when I grew up.” When I got to college, I took the responsible course and had psychology as my “back up.” Mostly because the class Motivation and Emotion sounded like an acting class, not a core course in psychology.
The things that surprise me most about my education is not that I learned a lot about how to function in the business world as a psychology major. That makes sense – communication, relationships, assessing the people you’re working with, etc. All of those skills learned in my psychological training seem imminently applicable. What is surprising is that so much of what I use on a regular basis can be traced back to my theater background as well.
My business lessons from theater:
1. You’re playing a role. People interact with you (and hire you) based on how they see you, not on how you see yourself. Actors try on a lot of roles and costumes and can completely transform themselves with what they wear, how they talk, and how they act. This is also true in business. When you dress for the part, act confident (even if you don’t feel confident in the moment), and authentically deliver your lines (e.g., your elevator pitch), you are seen as successful and someone to do business with. You may feel more real when you wear your sweats, slouch, and stammer, but that doesn’t help you get the business done. Define your character (successful business owner, boss, or leader) based on your best, most professional self. I’m not saying to be inauthentic – I’m suggesting you find that version of yourself and consciously play that role in your business interactions.
2. People only see what you show them. So frequently, people feel like imposters. I’m so scared that you’ll find out that I’m faking it and stop wanting doing business with me. On the flipside, actors know they’re faking it and only show what they’d like the audience to see. Set pieces have only the front, costumes are incomplete. That doesn’t take away from the authenticity of the audience’s experience. It shapes the audience’s experience. We do not need to show all of our flaws to those we’re doing business with. In fact, it’s not a good idea. Remind yourself that everyone has these flaws and everyone is showing only the good or “performance-ready” side.
3. The show must go on. Theater works very much on deadlines. You don’t identify a show, rehearse it until you feel you’re totally ready and then set an opening date. You set the date for the show first and work backwards. If it is getting close and you don’t feel ready, you double (or triple or quadruple) your efforts because the show goes on! This encourages accomplishment. There is no waiting until ready. You just go for it and get it done. That, of course, means that there are some bad reviews or missteps, but you’re getting in front of your audience consistently. If you set a date and stick to it, you’re likely to make it happen somehow. Waiting to be ready means you’re highly unlikely to get it done.
4. Anything goes until the curtain goes up. Many theater professionals can remember times when they’ve madly re-choreographed a scene or learned new lines the night before the curtain went up. An artistic decision required significant changes to the performance that are seen as opportunities to improve what the audience will experience. They are not seen as an irresponsible delay. I agree. I frequently recalibrate my content and the curriculums for my trainings until the day before. I see who is going to be at the event, what’s new in the world, and what I feel is most important to teach. This is possible because, like in theater, I see anything as possible until the “show” starts. Experiencing events or meetings as shows allows me the flexibility to adjust to new needs or new goals in real time.
5. Team work is critical. In theater, speed and accuracy are often required to make sure scene transitions, costume changes, or lighting and sound cues happen smoothly. There is no way for one person to run a show. Even a one-man or one-woman show requires someone else to turn on the lights and adjust the sound. Strategy and planning is critical to make sure that everyone knows exactly what to do and when (often down to the second). There’s no doubt on who will do what, each piece is rehearsed and put into the stage directions. In the same way, creating systems and communicating specifically about which role each person is playing is critical in business. If you know you can count on someone to take the hand off and get the work done, you’ll work more effectively (and accomplish more for your clients).
6. Connecting with the audience matters most. Now, this is one that even artists have trouble with. Even if you love something and it fills your soul, you cannot pursue it (or pursue it consistently) unless you have an audience for it. Unattended shows close. You must consider the audience before deciding on the play or musical you will put up. The best option is to consider both your own desires as well as the desires of the audience, so you find that balance. I’m not talking about selling out or doing something that sucks the soul out of your ears. I’m talking about planning and executing business strategies that are sustainable because you have a paying audience for your product or service.
What do you think? Which theater lessons are you going to try for moving your business (or life) forward?
~Katie
Ready to make a more specific plan? Let’s chat. 424.241.3205 or katie@evolvetothriveconsulting.com
