Look Around

Browse around and leave comments, we'd love to start a conversation.

How frequently do you give others feedback?

Reflections on Leadership Podcast

Books for Sale

Scroll Down for More Content

Including our site playlist, and your chance to vote for your favorite song!

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Directors Direct

When I was a student at Emerson College, one of my sophomore courses had me direct a short video production. The college, with its strong, “learn by doing” approach, had two studios with cameras freshly donated from the local television station. This particular class was taught by an exceptionally chic PBS producer who always clutched a coffee filled Styrofoam cup in her hand.

I had completed many video projects in high school and during my freshman year at Emerson. Having had already written the script and storyboard the prior week, when it was my day to direct I was feeling very comfortable and was assured I had everything under control. I remember feeling jazzed as I ran back and forth between the control room and the studio, where I set up particular shots and helped move pieces of the set. I rolled a ladder into position under a spotlight and began to scramble up it when my sophisticated instructor called out to me, “Karl, what are you doing?”

“Adjusting the light,” I replied.

“Don’t you have a lighting director? She quizzed

“Yes,” I said.

“Then tell them what to do,” she said.

“But –,” I started to explain.

She looked up at me and motioned with her hand, “Look around – see all these people just standing? That’s you’re crew.”

“But, I was just trying to help,” I offered

“Their job is to help you – your job is to direct them. If they aren’t helping you they know they will fail this assignment. In real life, if they didn’t help you, they would be fired and not get paid,” she said.

I started to protest about how I was brought up, but she would have none of it. In surprising less than polite PBS language she told me, “Now get your (butt) off that (freaking) ladder and into the control room. Do not come out on the studio floor again until the shoot is over and you congratulate or reprimand your crew. Right now you have a (freaking) show to do, so use your headset, use your floor manager and use your assistant director. You are the director – (freaking) direct!”

In short order the control room and studio were buzzing with activity and it ended up being a great experience.

At first blush this may run counter to how many believe teams work. It may seem to challenge a culture of empowerment, or the servant leadership lifestyle. It doesn’t. In fact, it fits perfectly well into those contexts. It took me years to not so much learn, but confirm that early leadership lesson. There are different styles of directors that may emphasis one nuance over another, but the basic formula is the same. Set the vision; communicate the vision, repeatedly, wisely assign roles and delegate tasks to those who can best fulfill the vision. Then get out of their way, so they can do their job in a way that compliments your job. Give them feedback, but don’t do the work for them. At the end of the production, learn from any mistakes and celebrate success. We needn’t complicate things. Directors Direct. Leaders Lead.

Take part in our Playlist Preference Poll. Listen and vote for your favorite.

Des'ree - You Gotta Be

Brooke White - Let It Be

Rob Thomas - Little Wonders