Vern Oakley is an acclaimed filmmaker, educator and author of Leadership in Focus: Bringing Out Your Best On Camera. Vern founded Tribe Pictures in 1986, where he has directed films that have garnered over 500 international industry awards. His work has helped Fortune 500 companies launch new products and new businesses, and has raised billions of dollars in contributions for prestigious universities and other institutions.
He attributes his success to a simple lesson he learned as an aspiring young actor and director, studying with Arthur Penn, the legendary director of Bonnie & Clyde and other films: there is no substitute for authentic moments of human connection.
Making connections
As a modern business leader, your ability to communicate effectively with your employees, customers, investors and other stakeholders is increasingly dependent on your on-screen presence and persona.
- Employees are 75% more likely to watch a video than to read documents or emails. (Source: Forrester Research)
- 58% of corporate executives agree that “video communication has boosted senior leaderships’ ability to communicate with employees, improving trust”. (Source: Forbes Insights)
- Videos get 1200% more shares than text and images combined. (Source: Brightcove)
In the process of becoming a more connected, screen-based economy, we have all become savvier consumers of video content. We can recognize when someone is putting on an act and when they are sharing their authentic selves. “All too often, I see business leaders trying to project an image that is not natural to them,” Vern says. “It’s like they are trying to put on the mask of a perfect CEO, rather than just be the smart, accomplished and imperfect person they actually are.”
Dropping the mask, Vern suggests, is the only way to create moments of true connection.
Letting your authentic self shine through
Having worked with scores of business and nonprofit leaders, Vern appreciates that ‘acting naturally’ doesn’t come easily to most of us when lights and a camera are in your face and a full crew is hovering about. Here are a few suggestions from his many years as a coach and director:
- Think one-on-one. Whether being interviewed or speaking to camera, try to lock in on the notion that you are just sharing your thoughts with one, interested person.
- Use real words. Avoid jargon and acronyms and just say what you mean.
Remember that laughter is disarming, smiles are engaging and showing a little vulnerability builds credibility.
Most importantly,” Vern suggests, “Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t like the way you come across on screen. It takes practice to relax into a naturally engaging on-camera persona. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to someone else.”
Image credit: Andrew Steinman
