Speaking First Doesn’t Make you the Leader

Waiting your turn and laying back in a creative collaboration environment is more beneficial then leading the conversation.

The creation of an episodic show, a movie, a play, a song, etc. all need to blend the talents of a diverse group of creatives. It also takes everyone knowing when to execute their particular talents / gifts and when to wait.

Laying back is usually the hardest skill to learn.

Let’s assume we were going to build a house. I’m not defaulting to a construction analogy because I’m Italian and all Italians are construction workers. That would be stereotyping. Although, it would be correct a few decades ago. Well, at least in my family.

ANYWAY… it all starts with an idea or vision for the building.  That vision can come from a homeowner, land developer, etc.  The idea then gets passed to an architect, who interprets the vision and designs a set of building plans.  Those plans typically move to a general contractor, who with his crew of craftsman; masons, carpenters, electricians, roofers, painters, etc., implement the build.

At no point early in the process would the roofer decide to contribute their thoughts about the building. Nor would anyone at that early stage understand the detailed installation process of an expert roofer.

The same is true for story production. Whether it’s an episodic show, a movie, a play, a song (yes songs are stories or at least they should be) they all have a system of story development to final production. From concept to audience acceptance. These “systems” move the story along a “build” path, sometimes involving dozens of creatives and sometimes involving thousands. (check the credits on a feature movie)

The one fact all these systems have in common is each individual craft waits till it’s their turn to contribute.

“Stop raising your hands and yelling out. I know many of you contribute at many levels. Bravo! You’re so special”. LOL.

But to simply illustrate our point let’s assume each creative person or team of creatives are only going to contribute their singular expertise. That means until it’s their turn they have to lay back and wait.

There go those hands again. “Yes, I know if the people in the front of the project don’t understand what something down the line needs, the whole project might go off the rails. Your RIGHT.”

Again, for our illustration let’s assume everyone is smart. (honestly that never happens haha but we can dream can’t we)

The point I’m getting at is if your contribution happens to be down the line it’s not less important than the ones that happen up front.

Many times, it’s the later contribution that are more critical. 

Think about the house we were building.

Great idea/vision

Great architectural plans

Great General Contractor leadership.

But in walks crappy carpenter and electrician. If the electrical system isn’t done right the house could burn to the ground. If the carpenter does a poor job with the framing the house may collapse after the first winter storm.

That basic analogy holds true for every step of the way when producing an episodic show, a movie, a play, a song, etc. The quality of workmanship at any step of the can cause the project to succeed or fail. 

There are no “more” important or “less” important contributions.  Everyone’s contribution is important and everyone should take a bow when the finish product is successful.

OH put your hands down…I know some get paid more than others! But that’s a blog for another day.