Every year, millions of people across the world plant themselves in front of the tube on a Sunday night to watch one of cinema’s most prestigious award ceremonies – The Academy Awards. People on both sides of the fourth wall will be squirming in their seats wondering who will take home a coveted golden statue. But with so many categories, it can be confusing to understand how the nomination process goes. So, we’re going to decode the Oscars for you – of course, from a leadership standpoint.
Best Picture
This is the big one. The best picture award goes to the film with all around cinematic, writing, and aesthetic supremacy. Movies like Gone with the Wind, Ben-Hur, and Braveheart have been honored with this title. In business, companies are constantly fighting for competitive advantage. To remain innovative and on the leading edge, your organization needs to focus on the overall picture. Sure the little things are important, but you need to know the overall vision of what you want to accomplish. All of the aspects of a good movie make the total impact powerful. It’s the same with a brand.
Actor in a Leading Role
As many actors and actresses will admit, the opportunity to star in a certain film with a great director and script helped them flourish in the role. But at some point, the actor in a leading role has to take ownership of the character and step up to become the character itself. The best actors aren’t acting. They really are the part. In a leadership role, the best way to stand up and engage an entire organization is to take ownership, be the change you expect, and encourage those around you with your overall optimism and vision.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Some of the most affective character roles in cinema are those who support the main character’s story. Consider how Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables, Denzel Washington in Glory, and Harrison Ford in Star Wars helped push their movies’ theme forward. It takes stepping back and being okay with not being in the main role, yet shining in the role played. As a leader, sometimes it’s important to take a step back and let those around you show their own gifts to create a culture of engagement and help them buy into the system as well. Though when it’s time to stand up and deliver, it’s your responsibility to do so in a big way.
Directing
There are several movie series that have the same characters and similar story lines but feel completely different when there is a director change. The Batman series was completely reinvented when Christopher Nolan took over. Suddenly, a story line that had been more comic-bookesque was transformed into a gritty action-packed drama. The director of a film brings his or her own artistic eye to the project and can bring the best out of the cast. Managers have a unique opportunity with their workforce. They have the chance to bring about their own vantage point of the overall company vision to make it hit home with their employees. The best leaders can communicate exactly what they want and where they need to go without asking too much from their team. By bringing out the best part of each employee, managers can make the most of a workplace and direct it in the way that best suits the brand and its crew.
And the Oscar goes to…
When you’re in the comfort of your home watching the 85th Academy Awards, think about everything that goes into each nomination. There are traits to be found that can help you make a bigger difference in your office. And though you won’t win an Oscar for it, you could win the respect and admiration of your team and competitors.
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