19MAY - JUNE 2024Media & Entertainment Business ReviewCXOINSIGHTSBy John Barnett, Director of Production, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment GroupLEADING A TEAM REMOTELY ­ ACROSS COUNTRIES, CULTURES, AND THE INTERNETNearly 30 years ago when I first led a team of theater designers and technicians, we took notes with pencil and paper, drew on vellum and some of us had email addresses. Before rock n' roll tours trained technicians, we cut our chops in summer stock, producing 4 productions in rotating repertory in a matter of weeks. This company had no email -- I drafted by hand and used a diazo machine to make blue lines for my carpenters. I worked with designers, discussing drawings and design changes over phone calls and faxes. We used scale models built by hand, with drawn or painted front elevations and technical scaled drawings to execute our Creators' vision before they arrived on-site.In 2005 I was hired as a Technical Director for Cirque du Soleil, then promoted to Operations Production Manager, Company Manager, and then Senior Operations Production Manager for several of their Las Vegas productions. Most of this leadership has been hands-on, face to face, and evolving with technology to best lead teams of hundreds of employees from all over the world.Mastering the ability to bring that human connection and focus to the challenge of online videoconferencing will make or break exceptional team leaders. Our current world has brought new platforms for assembling teams and managing projects of all sizes. Regardless of what time zone we are in, this is REALITY and the future of any company that is planning to expand outside of a small geographic market. For instance, a remote video meeting may cross 11 time zones. That likely means someone is just waking up, others are ready for lunch, supper or ready to go to sleep. Making sure everyone is equally engaged requires effort, and someone taking notes for follow-up. Currently, I am leading a global team of designers and project managers for a new permanent show to open in Hawaii late 2024.My strategy for delivering a project of any size relies on the same tenants I have employed throughout my career:1. Be honest and transparent2. Set clear expectations3. Be clear with deliverables and timelines4. Ensure objectives are met5. Deliver the information required to make it sustainableThe process should be as stellar as the product; highlight your people and bring out your best tools. Mastering the ability to bring that human connection and focus to the challenge of online videoconferencing will make or break exceptional team leaders
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