What do Tom Cruise, an Obscure Acting Technique, and Finding Your Niche All Have in Common?
Learn why most businesses fail to find their niche.
In the 1960s, Sanford Meisner created the infamous “Meisner Technique”- an approach used by famed actors like Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Al Pacino, and Tom Cruise.
Meisner’s approach answers the age-old question: How do we make actors look like they aren’t acting?
“Well,” Meisner might say, “what’s the problem with novice actors?”
They overact. They’re lost in their own head. They’re anticipating what’s coming instead of getting lost in the moment.
According to Meisner’s former student, Jim Jarret, anticipation is the enemy of a convincing performance. I would argue that anticipation is the enemy of high-level creative performances in general. And that includes business.
By trying to “act” (ie. trying to emote and anticipate their line) 98% of actors deliver stiff unconvincing performances that shatter our suspension of belief.
Meanwhile, actors who have studied the Meisner Technique and built up their craft over time, like Tom Cruise, deliver incredible, epic performances that make us…
