What filmmaking taught me about leadership
A leader isn’t just someone who checks the boxes. Here’s what directing a short film 10 years ago taught me about leadership.
It was a late morning at The Scott Garden swimming pool, the sunlight bouncing off the water in shimmering waves. The crew bustled around, adjusting camera angles and fine-tuning the setup. I stood beside my cinematographer, heart racing, knowing this scene had to be perfect.
The scene we were about to shoot: A father discovers his young daughter unconscious in the pool. This was the pivotal moment. The father, in sheer panic, would rush in, scoop her up, and cry for help. The entire shot was meant to be in slow motion, capturing every ounce of anguish and desperation.
“Action!” I called out.
The actor sprinted forward, splashing into the pool, lifting the little girl into his arms. But something was missing.
“Cut!” I walked over, gesturing for everyone to gather around. “Alright, let’s talk through this.” My cinematographer crouched next to me, scrolling through the shots. The lead actor, already barefoot, rubbed his hands together, psyching himself up.
“Let’s do it again. Imagine this is real. Your daughter’s life is slipping away. Every step, every cry, every movement should show that pain. How do you think we can capture this emotion better?”
After some discussion, we ran it again. And again. Each time, we made small adjustments—his grip tightening, his cry breaking mid-sentence, the water dripping from the girl’s hair as he lifted her out. With each take, the scene became more raw, more powerful.
That day, I wasn’t just directing a passion project. I was helping my team bring out their best work. And looking back, I realize—leadership is the same.
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A leader, much like a filmmaker, has two key responsibilities:
🎬 DELIVERING RESULTS: Ensuring the final goal is achieved.
🎬 DRAWING OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE: Knowing when to coach, when to challenge, when to inspire and when to step back to let your team shine.
You can’t have one without the other. It’s not just about hitting targets; it’s about developing the people who help you hit them. Here’s how I define great leadership:
“Leadership is about delivering results through the people you are in charge of AND helping them reach their full potential.”
Just like filmmaking, leadership isn’t about you. It’s about the people you work with and the impact you can create together. What’s your definition of leadership? Drop it in the comments, I’d love to hear it!