Actor Stanley Tucci has had a very rich career both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. He has played completely diabolical roles, including playing a child murderer in The Lovely Bones and taking on the role of Julia Child’s husband Paul Childs in Julie and Julia.He is also the author of Taste: My life through foodmy favorite book.
This morning I had the pleasure of joining Stanley for a fireside chat. There, I was able to get a sneak peek at the man behind the actor.
Here are some business lessons I learned from my morning with Stanley.
sometimes you need to call for help
Stanley told how he worked on the script for The Big Night for several years with little success. It wasn’t until he brought in his cousin Joseph Tropiano that the script was completed.
It can be difficult to implement big ideas on your own. Having a point of contact where you can exchange ideas is invaluable. If you feel like you’re not making the progress you’d like, ask someone you know if they can introduce you to a consultant or trusted advisor who can help you turn your ideas into action.
we are all human
Admittedly, Stanley does not like portraying serial killers, but he agreed to take on the role of serial killer George Harvey. When asked how he could play such a role, he replied: “We’re all human beings.” He says that while we may not like certain people’s actions, if we keep in mind that we’re all human beings, we can play that role. I pointed out that it can be done.
How often do we forget that the people we work with are humans? We are often quick to judge. When faced with an annoying co-worker or a less-than-human boss, it’s best to take a step back and consider that there may be more to them than what they’re showing.
don’t be afraid to try new things
Stanley is what you might call an adventurous person. He tries everything at least once, even foods that are hardly palatable.
Businesses are often afraid of changing things. We minimize risk. The world’s most successful businessmen didn’t get to where they are today without taking risks. Say “yes” to new ideas more often than “no.”
eat more pasta
When asked what his favorite food was, Stanley answered without hesitation, “Pasta.” If you’ve ever seen Stanley Tucci: In Search of Italy, you know this man loves pasta. He eats pasta for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What do you really love about your job? Take the time to discover exactly what this is for you and do more of this.
As Stanley pointed out today, “There’s no heaven. There’s only pasta.” Whatever your beliefs, take the time to savor what brings you the most joy. If your job doesn’t bring you joy, don’t hesitate to move on.
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