The Metaphor: The Lines Between the Lines

I was working with a client a couple of years ago who was in a major hit Netflix series. The kind of role that could define a career. The pressure wasn’t about getting the job — it was about living up to it.

What people don’t see is that the behind-the-scenes work isn’t glamorous. It’s quiet. Repetitive. Vulnerable. We ran lines at his dining table days before filming. Again in the hotel, late into the night. Again in the car on the way to set, while hair, wardrobe, and production texts buzzed around us. It wasn’t just about memorizing — it was about making the performance feel real, scene after scene.

And that’s where leadership showed up — not in giving pep talks, but in showing up. Being consistent. Keeping the space calm when everything else feels high stakes.

Because leadership in my line of work isn't optional — it's the standard.

Working with high-profile clients, public figures, and teams under constant pressure has taught me exactly who I don’t want to be as a leader. I’ve seen how poor leadership creates chaos, kills trust, and costs more than money.

That’s why I built this list — my leadership non-negotiables. I come back to them constantly:

* Empathy > Ego. You can’t lead people you don’t try to understand.

* Stay curious. Ask why. Then ask again.

* Do the work. No title exempts you from getting your hands dirty.

* Own your outcomes. Accountability is leadership.

* Clarity is kindness. Confusion slows everything down.

* Protect your people. Publicly. Privately. Without exception.

* Be real. High-profile doesn’t mean high-fake.

* Be transparent. No subtext. People can handle the truth — they just want to hear it from you.

* Feedback is fuel. Give it. Ask for it. Grow from it.

* Show up consistently. The best leaders don’t disappear when it’s hard.

* Set the bar high. But push the work, not the people.

* Share the frontline. Real leaders make room for others to rise.

* Stay grounded. Your calm sets the tone when pressure spikes.

* Remain coachable. Growth doesn’t end with success.

And above all:

Lead with intention, even when no one’s watching. Because the real test of leadership happens at the kitchen table and in the quiet moments that shape what the world eventually sees.

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