I have directed dozens of plays and operas and musicals. God I hate directors. They’re just so….bossy.

But that’s not really what this post is about. It’s about ego. Years ago, when I was learning the craft as a young actor, I sucked. Not as an actor, but as a person. You see, it is universally known that actors have enormous egos. We’re born with them and while they may serve us well when we are up there on the stage, they come with an enormous price. We can’t be told we are not right and perfect and beautiful, that our art is not the ultimate expression of our souls, and that anyone, I mean anyone would deign to correct us or advise us or question our sublime interpretation. God I hated directors.

Enter Lin White.

We came to know her as “Auntie Lin”, and she was, by anyone’s account, the greatest director we had ever known. She was blunt. She excepted no excuse, she would get up in your grill with a twinkle in her eye and call you on your shit. When you weren’t digging deep enough Lin would hand you a shovel. And at first, you would resist. Lin wouldn’t allow you even that guilty pleasure. You either grew, or you withered.

It wasn’t that Auntie Lin was hardening us to face the rigors of the craft, the constant auditioning, the constant rejection. It was simply that Lin knew instinctively what you were capable of, and wouldn’t allow you to give her anything less.

Lin installed a tiny little vent in your ego that would let air and ideas in, and ego and bullshit out.

Over the years I have encountered lots of directors. Some were good, some totally sucked and most were somewhere in the middle. But the vent remained opened.

Go forward many years and I started working as a voice actor recording audio books. The vent had closed. I accepted direction begrudgingly and would grit my teeth when author’s would send me notes. But every once in a while you encounter an author that has the director gene. They ask the most out of you and won’t accept less. Such is the case for an author I am working with now. She expects the best and doesn’t blow hot air up your pantaloons.

So I am reminded again, that if you know you are right, you are wrong. If it’s your way or the highway, you might as well call an Uber. It is through the eyes of fearless observation by gifted others that we can evaluate and grow. Whether actor, or technician. Whether parent or teacher, whether employee or boss. Keep your vent open. Walk humbly with grace and most importantly listen for an opportunity to change.