Six Leadership Do’s and Don’ts From Oscar Night

There’s an old joke that my adopted hometown of Washington, DC is Hollywood for, well, um, not so attractive people.  So, of course, to see all the beautiful people in one place one watches the Academy Awards.  I’m a big movie buff (Witness my post from a few months ago on The King’s Speech.  You may want to bet with me in next year’s office Oscar pool.), so I usually watch the Oscars.  Last night was no exception.

One of my favorite parts of the broadcast  is seeing how people who spend their careers onstage respond when they have to get up to present or receive an award. Another aspect I enjoy is when the winners from the more minor categories give their speeches. Some of the most spontaneous remarks come in those moments. 

Since leaders find themselves “on stage” with regularity (actually, if you’re a leader you’re always on stage whether you realize it or not), let’s see what leadership do’s and don’ts we can mine from Oscar night.

Do think about what you want to say:  So as much as I’d like to think I was ahead of the curve on The King’s Speech, it was the odds on favorite to take the big prizes for several months before the Oscars.  That gave Colin Firth plenty of time to think about what he wanted to say if and when he received the award for Leading Actor.  His opening line, “I think my career just peaked,” struck just the right tone of self deprecation, got a laugh from the audience and probably calmed his nerves down enough to proceed with a brief and well structured acceptance speech. It’s always a good idea to have a solid opening line in mind when you get up on stage.

Do have a sense of the moment:  You had to hand it to 95 year old Kirk Douglas when he came out to present the award for Supporting Actress.  He had a stroke several years ago, doesn’t speak as well as he used to and uses a cane to get around.  The man still knows how to milk the moment, however. He made jokes that the audience laughed with and when it came time to draw the name from the envelope, he interrupted himself three times before announcing the winner.  You gotta love a leader who uses his sense of timing to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Do say thanks in ways that connect:  The thank you’s at the Academy Awards, much as in real life, can seem perfunctory.  There were some notable exceptions last night. When Christian Bale thanked his wife as he accepted the Supporting Actor award, he referred to her as his “mast through the stormy seas of life.”  (Very nice. I wish I had come up with that line for my wife first.) A lot of moms were thanked last night.  My favorite was Luke Matheny, the director and lead actor of the best Live Action Short Film, thanking his mom for running the craft services catering truck during his shoot. Thank you’s always mean more when there’s a personal element to them.

Do show some enthusiasm:  With James Franco (more about him in a moment) and Anne Hathaway as co-hosts, the producers of the Awards show made an attempt to reach a younger audience. Anne Hathaway sold it with her energy, enthusiasm and good humor. It makes a big difference when the person leading the show (that will often be you as a leader) seems like they’re enjoying themselves and actually wants to be there.

Don’t show up stoned for your big moment:  Based on his perpetual squint, laconic demeanor and monotone delivery, it seems that there was a pretty excellent chance that co-host James Franco was stoned for the broadcast. The contrast between him and Anne Hathaway was stunning and not in a good way. Obviously, I have no idea if Franco was actually stoned but he may as well have been. When you’re on stage (leaders, listen up), you have to project some energy that at least matches if not exceeds the energy in the room. The audience is usually looking for you to lead them to a different place. That requires focused energy. Franco didn’t have it.

Don’t act like you’ve never been there before:  Even if it’s your first time on the big stage, give some thought in advance to how you want to show up.  Exhibiting a basic level of class is a good idea.  When Melissa Leo won for Supporting Actress, she acted (a completely appropriate word) like she was totally shocked. This is after she had won a bunch of other awards over the past couple of months and ran a much criticized campaign (another completely appropriate word) to win an Oscar. Once she got onstage, she acted like she didn’t have a clue what she wanted to say and dropped an F-bomb in the process. (It was bleeped but it didn’t take a master’s degree in lip reading to figure out what she said.) 

OK, enough already from me. What other leadership do’s and don’ts did you glean from the Academy Awards telecast?

Comments

[Mary Jo Asmus]

Scott, I thought Colin Firth exemplified humility and graciousness. Leaders could study his brief speech and learn a lot.

On the other hand, Melissa Leo was quite inauthentic. I'll bet that "F-bomb" was acted, as was the rest of her speech. I would have liked to have seen a more natural delivery; her speech could serve as "what not to do" for leaders.

[Tony Loftis]

When you are organizing an event and the whole world is watching, have something to say that's interesting and informative.

By most accounts, the year's show was a stodgy relic of past years, certainly not what the producers and in mind when they choose Hathaway and Franco.

Change is more than new spokespeople, it's new ideas. Don't set expectations you can't or don't want to meet.

[Scott Eblin]

Hi MaryJo and Tony -

Thanks for the spot-on comments. Loved your point about Leo's in-authenticity, MJ. Some very perceptive viewing on your part. And, Tony, your point reminds me of that classic advice - under-promise and over-deliver!

Cheers -

Scott

[David Sturdevant]

Scott - Super point about projecting energy that at least meets that of the room. It's such a fundamantal problem speakers have when they get too focused on their content. Your note about Colin Firth's acceptance is also insightful - that opening sentence is so important. Even an acceptance speech can have a beginning, middle and end. I didn't watch the awards, but thanks for sharing these lessons.

[Allison Wood]

Great post, Scott. I agree with you (and having worked in the biz for many years, I know what makes these people tick). Actors, like leaders, must have an exquisite sense of how they impact their audience, what they want to say and how it will likely come across. Real can't be faked, as they say - the genuine moments will always shine through.

One of my faves was at the end, when Jeff Bridges was introducing the Best Actress nominees - I was magnetized by his intimate address to each of the women ("Natalie, you were astounding...") It was such a wonderful example of connecting with the audience in an intimate yet universal way, and his thoughtful and heartfelt delivery added a feeling of real appreciation to what would otherwise have been just a rote description of each nominee's work. When leaders can connect with their audience in this way (and it's so easy - just by speaking TO them and not AT them), what a powerful impact they can make!

[deb keeffe]

Very good points and lessons to learn!

[Diane]

The thirty or so actors and their friends that I watched the awards with believed that Christian Bales had forgotten his wife's name.
Billy Crystal was also quite gracious in recoginizing Bob Hope.
As a professional hospitality educator, I agree with the comment about the speaker needing to carry the room with their enthusiasm. I have to keep it fresh for me so that I do not project boredom or robotic recitation.

[Katie Gurnett]

My favorite leadership moment was from Sandra Bullock. She was personable, likable and humorous without being mean -- all of this after being humiliated last year by her now ex-husband! Talk about grace under fire -- which is a skill all leaders need to have.

[DesignsOnTalent]

I have to say, for passion, sincerity, brevity and graciousness, I submit that Lee Unkrich (best animated feature - Toy Story 3) had the best speech.

[carol]

I'm new to public speaking, having recently been promoted. I found this article (and the comments) to be very helpful and insightful. One thing I loved about the Oscars on Sunday was hearing all the people who thanked their Moms! Those were very personal, heartfelt, relatable moments.

[Ruby]

The amount of "ums" in Natalie Portman's acceptance speech made it hard to believe she ever spoke in front of people. I'm especially attuned to that bad habit having led several public speaking training sessions, but hers were overwhelmingly unappealing. Listen to it again if you have the chance and try counting them.

[Bill Walker]

I was all set to RT your post, until I got to the first tip. There were more verbal hiccups in Colin Firth's speech than I could count. It may have been authentic, but it was poorly delivered. I'd have expected better from him, especially for this particular role! No matter how interesting, self-deprecating, or authentic, you have to nail the delivery. He didn't.

[Kyle O]

While you praise Ann Hathaway's energy I was struck by her lack of grace, particularly how after every introduction she made she followed it with immature woo woos as if she was at a soroity party.
I also thought Firth's speech was riddled with ums and ahs.

[Scott Eblin]

Wow, You guys are coming up with a ton of great points from the Oscar. Completely agree with the take on Jeff Bridges, the Toy Story director and Portman. Respectfully disagree with Bill's take on Colin Fitrth. Yeah, he wasn't perfect but he was appealingly humble and human. I ought it worked.

If I was writing the post again, I'd also throw some big kudos to the writer of The King's Speech. Thought he was brilliant and an inspiring story in himself as someone who hung in with a good idea for years to see it through to fruition and overcoming his own stuttering condition early in his life. Went all the way to speaking to a billion people. How cool is that?

[Douglas1212]

Being a CC with Toastmasters it’s always interesting to see the “pros” have to speak extemporaneously.

The best keep it short simple and relevant, adding a dash of humor is always welcome

http:/mightymolcules.com

[Michael Sweigart]

Interesting observations, Scott. I think your writing and the responses have some well considered points.

I would simply add that leaders at all levels (intentional - like a CEO - or not - like an actor) should equip themselves with basic communication skills. Just because you talk every day doesn't mean you can present even a short answer well. I echo David S.'s comment about structure.

An excellent resource for developing speaking, presentation, communication, and leadership skills is Toastmasters International. I recommend their program to everyone.

[Richard S.]

Totally agree about the opening line. The two best opening lines in my mind from the past were Sally Field (Norma Rae) with "you like me, you really like me" with sincere shock and Dustin Hoffman (Kramer vs Kramer) "I'd like to thank divorce" --- Firth's ranks right up there as an under-stated moment.

[vkristina]

I also agree regarding the winners' speeches from the minor categories. Much more authentic, humble, interesting and personal. One of my favorites was Trent Reznor for Best Music in The Social Network.

[Amy]

Scott, I'm glad you added the comment about the screenwriter of the King's Speech. I thought he did a brilliant job of creatively thanking people while also telling us his story.

[Sheila]

I wanted to watch the awards just to look at how the people conducted themselves and the underlying messages being sent. Unfortunately I did not watch it but I am very thankful for all of the insight and advice given, It definitely gave me what i was looking for without even watching. I watch a bunch of acceptance speeches on youtube and I look forward to the videos of this yrs awards being posted. Honesty and graciousness are key winners in speaking. I was very impressed with penelope cruz's acceptance speeches. she always show loves to her roots.

[Jill Dykes]

Great post. I train clients for media interviews, and the same tips apply. Think about what you are going to say, practice saying it, and be concise. Colin Firth was a shining example. Melissa Leo, not so much.

[Scott Eblin]

Thanks for all the comments everyone. Isn't it cool that we can draw so many lessons - good and bad - from the Oscars that apply to what us non-celebrity leaders do every day? Special thanks to the folks who have mentioned Toastmasters. A great organization and resource for anyone who wants to raise their game as a speaker in any situation.

Cheers -

Scott

[Kate]

I'd just like to make a teeny tiny point: actors are *not* professional presenters. Yes, there can be overlap in their skill sets, but they're not the same thing at all... and many movie actors have never acted "live" (on stage).

Most actors are introverts and are just as scared of public speaking as the rest of us. They're great at speaking lines and moving appropriately (and all that goes with that), but they are not by any stretch extemporaneous speakers.

Which is why actors are usually crappy hosts. I'm just sayin'.

Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock both did good jobs speaking lines that other people wrote for them (Bullock more so than Bridges, IMHO). Franco and Hathaway, with far more lines and a far tougher job, did less well.

[Laurel]

My favorite speech was Randy Newman's. He came across as somebody who absolutely knows who he is and what he can do. A well centered, self deprecating sense of humor, with a slice a cynicism totally appropriate to a self congratulatory industrial love fest like the Oscars.

[Malekka Maki]

I loved your article. I too, have watched the Oscars for years(only to have viewed a couple of winning movies) reviewing their responses. Let's not forget the outfits. Public speaking can be distracted by the uncomfortableness of the attire. I remember seeing Anne H. tug,rub,and feel on one of her gowns as if it were a genie that was going to pop out and grant wishes. Therefore dress in comfortable, appropriate clothes that hopefully you have worn be before. I don't know what she was talking about but, I do remember that occassion. Don't forget to wear the shoes for two to four hours also!

[KLoescher]

Great post and comments!

I have to add - DON'T READ YOUR SPEECH! The couple of presenters who drew out notecards and buried their faces in them, lost the audience immediately.