CRAFT
EDITION # 4

Table of Contents

• TRUST AND LEADERSHIP

• GUIDE POST 🪧

• TRAINING

• MY CURIOSITY

ART
TRUST AND LEADERSHIP

While I did my deep dive on Jackie Chan, one of my biggest takeaways was the trust he earned with his team for them to even allow him to perform his own stunts. He created trust through authority in his skill, along with his own work in safety. During Police Story, Jackie Chan had a lot of ability under his belt, he must have been able to convince his team that his life is in his own hands, because the work that he did could have led to his death, but it didn’t and instead it created incredible work.

I’m not trying to say to make great art you have to jump from the highest places and do the craziest stunts, but there are rooms that you have to create to create art that exudes trust.

We live in a world full of untrustworthy people. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. So many people have capitalized and fed off trust and still to this day feed off vulnerable individuals. This lack of trust takes away from a truly collaborative space, which hurts the very project that is being created. Nobody wants to be a blind follower, and nobody should, but when it comes to leadership and creating a project there are a few things that I look for.

There have been times when I’ve been a part of phenomenal leadership and leadership that has missed the mark. This is an adaptive list that keeps me coming back to remind myself of everything I want in a leader. That I may exhibit these qualities when the time comes for me to lead.

GUIDE POST 🪧
10 ASPECTS OF A GREAT HOLISTIC LEADER

1. A Leader approaches with a beginner’s mindset, not a master's. To always learn alongside creates a genuinely collaborative space.

2. A Leader leads by example. To lead by example is to come in with the qualities you hope your cast will mirror. There is an energy that you offer with every moment you are present in the space, and you must be conscious of that energy. Coming in with curiosity invites curiosity into the space. Coming in with the work invites the work into the space.

3. A leader doesn’t state a particular space is safe, the leader creates and cultivates a safe space.

4. A leader understands that trust can’t be rushed.

5. A leader never asks for blind followers. The kettle is the source - the idea - the teapot is the director mixed with the source, the director must share this tea with individual tea cups, cups that carry their own unique and individual shapes. The source is steeped by the director and shared with the vessels of those around. Who’s to say they won’t add a little lemon and honey, maybe ginger or sugar? We are here to approach something complex and energetic, and we are all a part of this together as each is an individual.

6. A leader must be ready and willing to learn constantly and make constant and consistent pivots and must be connected enough to do so seamlessly. —>

7. This brings me to a note about perception. People see us differently than we see ourselves, that’s just a true statement, everyone has a different eye, and there are ways to enter into a space kindly, with intentionality, and respect. Perspectives change as well so one must be ready to adapt.

8. A leader cannot dismiss the subjectivity of the artistic craft and person. The dismissal of values, beliefs, ideas, and what people care for reflects a cold and misguided understanding of the self.

9. A leader works alongside the ego, not crushing the ego, or allowing the ego to take control. To release control, to release title, to release authority, to release the work, to release all. A leader is an individual, not above, below, or beside. Simply, apart.

10. A leader recognizes that each part is whole and each part is of the whole. A leader recognizes the interdependence of each piece, individual, and idea. To create the big picture but always to be in tune with the individual parts creating the entirety.

How I like to lead is by example. I know I don’t have enough active practice, and there’s so much to learn as someone who wishes to lead. I come back constantly to notes like these to learn what I can in hopes that I can be the best leader I can be when the time comes.

Much love today and every day,
Matt Piper 🐅🌱♊️

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