Most of us have heard the song to which this title refers and many would agree that there truly is, 'no business like show business'. But is this really the case, and can people in business learn anything from the seemingly self-assured and confident people we see on our televisions, cinema screens and on stage?
Success in business depends upon effective management by people who can lead teams and ultimately whole companies. Few would argue that good leadership requires the ability to inspire and influence people; yet how many of those in leadership roles genuinely display this ability?
Some aspects of management can be learned through traditional methods such as academic courses and attendance at business schools, but the essential interaction between managers at all levels and their staff is fundamentally about the 'human touch'; something that cannot really be learned academically.
The human touch is about managers empathising with staff while at the same time inspiring them to ever-better performance. It is also about the verbal and non-verbal communication that takes place between people, and how it can be used to the best effect. It is about having the confidence to speak and act in ways that enable one to win over those he/she is trying to influence.
It is in these skills and characteristics that there are commonalities between drama and business. It has been said that, 'theatre is the willing suspension of disbelief'; in other words, it is about creating characters that will so enthrall an audience that for the duration of the performance people will forget they are witnessing a performance and believe what they see and hear on stage.
It isn't always that good, of course, but when it works, we feel that we have witnessed something rather special that has reached inside us. But how does it happen, and how do the people playing their parts on stage sometimes manage to draw us into their world? The answer lies in the skills that actors learn in order to bring characters to life, often drawing on the stereotypical images and subconscious expectations that most of us have, and which actors refine through observation and practice in drama workshops.
They also learn how to control their bodies to portray status, power and emotions; how to use the environment of the stage; and many more techniques to help them to confidently project characters in which an audience can believe. Many actors believe their training needs to help them understand the dynamics of human interaction to enable them to take on the role of a character whom they have never even met and to take that character into situations they have never experienced. It is this aspect of drama training that may be of most use in a management environment, and in the everyday situations that life creates.
To give one example, actors use improvisation and role-play exercises to help them react quickly, positively, and appropriately in unexpected situations. For a manager/business person, having the opportunity to practise this skill in the safety of a training environment helps increase his/her success in dealing with whatever business, or life, throws up. It is also very successful when used in training for mediation, performance management and all kinds of customer service issues.
Another example is the conscious use of breathing and vocal techniques in drama workshop settings. These can be very useful to anyone having to deliver a speech or make a presentation, or when having to deal with a difficult situation. Exercises in breathing control help one to relax, promote calmness, and reduce unnecessary energy-wasting tension.
Vocal exercises can help eliminate tension and also 'free' the voice from the limitations we give it through lack of trust and confidence in ourselves. Many people, at some time, have felt over anxious about communicating a message, presenting the correct image, or persuading an 'audience'. Vocal coaching and training that deals with body language and posture can help one to communicate more clearly and ensure the correct message is delivered.
Drama workshops can provide this kind of training in a fun, safe, non-threatening environment which allows individuals to develop at their own pace with other like-minded people.
Chris and Kate Hudson, founder members of the UK's Festival Theatre Company, have many years experience of working with adults in drama workshop settings. They have often seen the real benefits that many different types of people can gain and believe that many adults in Malta could also benefit from this kind of training.
That is why they have developed a course of drama workshop sessions for adults that will run over a 10-week period, starting next month. Each weekly session will last for two hours and will focus on a different drama technique.
The workshops will be almost entirely 'hands-on', with lots of active participation, and one of the main aims will be to make them fun. Details may be obtained from kvhinmalta@yahoo.co.uk, or by calling 9904 4213.