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3 Steps to Act Like a Successful Director at Work

Guest post by: Sylvia Lafair

Article Overview: Sylvia Lafair explains how good leadership skills make one of the best directors of all time successful at claiming Academy Awards/OSCARs time and time again.

3 Steps to Act Like a Successful Director at Work

Ever watch the ACADEMY Awards and see a short bearded guy modestly claim an OSCAR for best director time, after time after time. Can you guess his name? You got it; Steven Spielberg.

I did some research to find out what he does and how he does it. On paper it’s simple; in life, a more difficult task. In any case he is a great role model for leadership excellence and that goes for any type of business.

Here are the three standout ways he directs so listen and learn:

1. Have the vision of the end product in site. Take the time up front to sit and see; visualize your finished product. This is probably the hardest part of any project because it means being quiet, SIT ALONE and use one of your most important attributes, your imagination. For example when Spielberg was getting ready to do “Schindler’s List” he saw the film in his mind’s eye in black and white with touches of color. The finished product? There is a little girl’s bright pink coat in the midst of the ugliness of the holocaust. That coat speaks volumes about happier days without any need to preach or teach. From this learn that often less is more.
   
   
2. Talk with the experts. Spielberg got the best individuals he could find for costume design, art direction, logistics, as well as the actors he respected. He had tons of upfront meetings to discuss the details from every vantage point. For example, what would the exact color be that would represent the little coat? Would plaid be best or dark blue to blend with the brooding images and what exact shade of pink would tell the tale? He knew how to COLLABORATE to get the most creative and important effects.
   
   
3. Get out of the way and trust your colleagues. Known as a master of interaction, Spielberg was able to get the results he wanted in warp speed because he trusted his team to follow through and do a superior job. He did not micromanage and for this he is most loved. Everyone who works with this man talk about the fact that he seems to “just know” when to check in and when to stay away. Notice, he does not leave them solely on their own he will CHECK IN; yet he does not hovercraft which causes frustration and resentment. This is a skill that can be developed and will make a major difference in effectiveness.

There you have it. Use this as a check list for your next project. Do you have a vision of the finished product? Do you get your team together and collaborate on what the end result will look like? Do you give your colleagues ample room to execute and yet still check in at key intervals?

One more thing. Often if we cannot follow this master director’s methods it is because we are stuck in patterns from the past that hold us back. In “Don’t Bring it to Work” these behavior patterns are outlined and you can learn to leave the annoyances behind once you look them in the eye.

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Article Tags: best director, CEO Inc, collaboration, creativer energy options, Dont Bring it to Work, leadership, Leadership development, leadership excellence, master director, OSCAR Award, pattern aware leadership, personal development, personal growth, professional development, Steven Spielberg, Sylvia Lafair, team leadership



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