On Being A Producer: NO ONE IS CAPABLE OF GIVING DIRECTION UNLESS HE OR SHE KNOWS HOW TO TAKE DIRECTIONS

An essential quality of leadership is developing the ability to persuade others to align their goals with yours and those of the project. Until you, yourself, are able to join forces with others in the pursuit of a common objective, you will never persuade them to join your cause/efforts. Effective producers recognize the value of working together, and they learn how to follow directions before being entrusted with the responsibility for the performance of others. Good producers show by example how they expect others to behave. Even though the crew may be instructed to follow unquestioningly, the producer always leads them moving the project forward. You cannot push others to follow your example; you must pull them along with you. When you show by your every word and deed that you are a person of character, one who works for the greater good of the show in production, your people will follow. You will find them far more responsive to requests than to orders.