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.

New Book Now Available

I am pleased to announce the publication of
Pushing Back the Ocean: Tide Turning Leadership Lessons

Pushing Back the Ocean: Tide Turning Leadership Lessons
By Karl Bimshas
ISBN: 978-1-4116-9703-4

The short journey begins along a wintry and desolate Cape Cod beach where you’ll discover how to push back the ocean by discovering the magic of goals. Next you’ll learn how to think like a champion and help others find their own passion. Finally, you’ll realize how easy – and necessary, it is to change a piece of the world.

A wonderful gift for anyone who needs to focus on their goals
or make the time to reflect on how far they’ve come.

Immediately available online at
www.lulu.com/KarlBimshas
$9.95

This book might be of interest to you and your friends. It demonstrates my drive to lead and inspire others to maximize their unique strengths and continuously improve themselves, their organization and society, by bringing the powers of vision, passion and action to each endeavor.

Give the Gift.
Help Turn the Tide!

Shortly Borders, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other fine online booksellers will carry this title. You can also ask your local bookstore to order it for you. Of course I would be delighted by your purchase and online review, but today I am more interested in getting the word out. If you think others would also be interested please forward this message to them.

Learn more at
www.KarlBimshas.com

Who Do You Love?

I recently asked this question of the people I work with. Specifically, “Which clients do you love the most?” More interesting than the answers to that question was the speed in which everyone was able to respond. There was virtually no hesitation as grown men and women – some road weary and hardened by the world, were able to freely and easily proclaim their love of particular clients. I didn’t ask why they loved the clients they chose – but none could resist signing the virtues of those who had earned their affection. The reasons were as varied as, “They always pay on time” to “They get us and it’s always a pleasure to be with them.” When they spoke, they pitched forward on their toes, appeared lighter on their feet and a sparkle danced in their eyes. As they continued to speak of these exalted clients they almost seemed giddy – certainly confident and overwhelmingly pleased.

Now, to me, that looked a lot like love. Unfortunately my follow up question didn’t elicit as much frivolity.

“How much time do you spend with those you love?”

The swift wind that had filled their sails moments earlier had just been zapped, their magnificent sailboats stalled at sea as the air visibly deflated from their chests.

Excuses were mumbled over tightened lips – but it didn’t really matter what the reasons were, the result was the same. Neglect. Everyone one of them knew that love suffering from neglect could easily go away. It may be sudden or gradually – but it is inevitable.

Whether it be clients, employees, colleagues, family or friends – are you spending enough time with those you love? If not, start – because fundamentally there is nothing that you could possibly be spending time on that is more important or worthwhile than the people you love?

There are two ways to remedy this. First, shift your priorities to spend less time on the “burdens” and more time with those you love. Second, simply love more. Whether it be clients, employees, colleagues, family or friends – lead with a loving heart.

Four Steps to Improvement

Why make things more complicated than they have to be?

Here are four simple steps to take in order to make improvements in virtually anything you pursue.

1. Know your outcome
2. Take action
3. Notice if it’s working
4. If it’s not working try something else
   

Oversimplified?

Not really.

Stick to it and accomplish things.

Fight it and risk wallowing in mediocrity.

Valuing Liberty

Leader of the free world and Super Power are lofty self-proclaimed titles for a relatively young nation. The character of the American citizen is unusual. We are brash, aggressive, driven, inventive, curious and compassionate. But should we act as disciplinarian. The stern parent of a reckless world. Absolutely.

We are not a perfect people. No nation possesses perfection. Our form of government and its leaders, like our citizens are flawed. We are a forgiving people, blessed with great compassion. Our history has earned us the role we play on this increasingly smaller planet. Although we have foibles, our founders and our elected leaders, the men and women we have put into the decision and influence making positions, whether through the ballot or through public interest, have sustained, tweaked, fiddled and continued to improve a very basic principle that has served humanity well. All men are created equal. Liberty and freedom bring out the best of people’s minds and abilities. The consequence is that it can also bring out the worst, which is why such a high price is placed, justly on values.

Values are intimate to each human being. However all citizens of a community must share some unifying values, whether that community be a family, a corporation, a nation or the world. The people of the United States of America value life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our constitution is our guide. Like the Bible and many other great works, the contents are open to interpretation. America also values the right to debate, to criticize and to disagree. Many of our citizens have lived with our freedom for so long that they forget, sadly, that much of the world does not have it in the dawning years of a new millennium.

Until the entire world can appreciate freedom and is united in defeating oppressors of that inalienable human right, someone must stand up for it consistently. Because we are the freest of nations we must defend all other nations and people pursuing liberation regardless of its tactical importance to our national security. For the biggest thereat to our national security is the loss of liberty. That is why the words of John F. Kennedy still ring true today and should serve as a reminder until the world achieves peace.

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

If we do not believe those words today we are not entitled to the freedom our predecessors fought so hardly for and we should be ashamed.