Ever wondered how to be an adult when working with your childhood hero?

Ever wondered how to be an adult when working with your childhood hero?
Well here’s how I failed when working with mine. 
I was in the Meridien Hotel in Istanbul nervously awaiting the arrival Mr John Malkovich.

My adrenaline was so spiked that when he arrived, my fellow producer pointed out (through tears of laughter) that in our desire to show respect, we were bowing so low to the ground it was as though we had entered a mountaintop Dojo in an 80s movie. 

She helped me notice it, laugh about it, and stop the tendency towards being overly deferential in its tracks.

She made me see that kowtowing to famous/more powerful people won’t serve us, them, or the story you’re trying to tell.
There are three crucial reasons why: 

1. Energy is contagious.

When you make yourself small/subservient it’s felt by everyone. It’s not welcoming, it’s not calming and it’s not fun.

2. You won’t get the best out of them.

Remember you are there in service of the story. 

Your skills and experience mean you have a personal viewpoint that can enrich the project and their performance. 

When you dim yourself down through being deferential you rob the story of enrichment. 

3. You won’t learn.
Art is messy, inexact and intuitive (as well as being highly organised, rigorously pre-produced and granularly budgeted).

You’re there to keep the ship afloat, sure, but if you withdraw into yourself it creates an environment where you get:

-less openness
-less authenticity
-less ideas
-less of anything else good

Famous people know they’re famous. Most of them (the ones that are grounded within themselves) don’t or want you to remind them in the style of a Victorian butler.

#Authenticity brings out the best ideas, learning opportunities and inspires genuine fun. 

#learning #employerbranding #producing #marketing