Cutting Through the Surface
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
My bachelor’s degree is in Theatre. That may sound fancy to you or underwhelming. Many people discredit it as a fluff degree. Others can be overly impressed. I don’t think it was easy but maybe I am a bit biased. It’s not only about learning lines and walking across a stage. I learned about history, art, music, the economy of different time periods, and many other things. Elizabethan society and culture played a big part in my education, as well as costume and set construction, and a bit of electrical knowledge. I can use both a sewing machine and a light board (and I know my way around power tools). As you can see, it was a very well-rounded educational experience.
However, most people don’t realize that Theatre is the study of people. Learning what drives them. Understanding their underlying motivations is at the center of it all. One professor had us keep a journal, not of our deepest thoughts and feelings, but of what we observed of the people and world around us. What scenes did we see played out in real life? What were the situations people found themselves in? What did they really want? Why did they act that way? She wanted us to delve into others’ psyches and determine the answers or use it as an exercise to construct them for later use. I didn’t realize at the time how valuable this skill would be for me later in life.
I put out a lot of fires in my job. In doing that, I am able to see through what people are telling me or complaining about and getting to the heart of the matter. I can cut through the surface and see the underlying issue. Some people aren’t even aware of it until I draw it out of them. Only recently have I drawn the correlation to this ability to my Theatre studies. And it has been eye-opening.
Currently, I am taking courses on non-directive coaching. I was planning on just taking the first course because my work offered it. I thought of it as adding to my toolbox, expanding my leadership skills. There has been so much value added to my leadership style because of the basics of the process I have learned. Now, I am taking the second level of courses and it has occurred to me that my Theatre training has prepared me for this and prepared me well. It is the study of people’s motivations that has helped me see the core of their issues. Because of that, I can help them realize why certain things matter to them. I don’t have previous knowledge of their situation or ESP but I can help them discover the answers within themselves by asking meaningful questions. By being present and asking attentive questions regarding their motivation, I can empower their potential. I feel like I am good at this, helping folks tap into what lies beneath and understanding what is really going on. My Theatre training laid the foundation and helped me develop this skill.
Nothing is wasted. My career is not in the field of my study, but my studies have shaped my life in many ways. I am grateful to have made this connection. I know I will never be a professional actress or an award-winning director. And that is ok. But I have learned valuable skills that make me a good leader and coach. I want to use this ability to enrich other’s lives and help them realize their dreams. Who knew my love for musicals would bring me to this place?
What has prepared you for where you are now? Is that surprising to you? I’d love to hear more about it. Please feel free to share about it in the comments below or drop me a line.