Leaders Are Actors: Insights from Biden’s Stage Exit
On June 27, 2024, President Joe Biden stood on stage in Atlanta for a crucial presidential debate against Donald Trump. The event was intended to reinforce his position as a leader fit for a second term. However, what unfolded during the debate spotlighted a harsh reality about leadership: it’s not just about policies and track records but especially about performance.
Leadership is a performance — a role played by leaders to inspire followers to achieve a shared goal. Like in theater or film, when the performance is not good, people lose interest.
Biden’s debate performance was widely criticized. He appeared unfocused and struggled to deliver clear, coherent responses, which raised questions about his age and ability to continue leading effectively. He looked weak and lacked energy, further fueling doubts about his capability. His inability to engage dynamically with Trump’s aggressive style left a lasting impression that his leadership might be faltering.
The aftermath was swift and severe. Prominent figures within the Democratic Party voiced their concerns, with some openly suggesting that Biden reconsider his candidacy. With mounting pressure and dwindling support, Biden made the historic decision to withdraw from the race on July 21, 2024. He later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, marking a significant shift in the party’s direction.
This sequence of events underscores a fundamental truth: leaders are actors, and the ability to perform under pressure, like an actor on stage, is crucial for keeping the audience engaged and inspired.
Everything Is a Performance, Not Just Leadership
The concept that everything is a performance is not new. William Shakespeare famously wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” This timeless insight captures the essence of our daily lives, suggesting that everyone plays various roles depending on the context.
Think about the different roles you play on a daily basis. When you are at work, you play your professional role, dressing and speaking accordingly. When you are at home, you play your family role, talking and acting differently with your family members. We even play different roles when interacting with our pets. Don’t you change your voice and demeanor when talking to your dog or cat?
Sociologist Erving Goffman expanded on this idea in his influential book, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959). Goffman argued that social life is like theater, where we perform different roles to manage how others see us. These performances occur everywhere, including in leadership roles, where leaders must project authenticity and manage impressions.
Philosopher Judith Butler also explored this concept in her book Gender Trouble (1990), arguing that gender is not something we are but something we do — a performance shaped by social norms and expectations. Butler’s work emphasizes the fluidity of identity and how societal expectations shape our roles, highlighting the importance of performance in understanding who we are.
Leaders Should Study Acting
Biden’s exit from the race illustrates how leadership is not just about policy and decision-making but especially about performance. Leaders must convey competence and assurance, even in challenging situations. This performative aspect doesn’t imply insincerity; rather, it highlights the necessity for leaders to authentically communicate and embody their values, beliefs and visions.
Given the performative nature of leadership, should leaders study acting? The answer is yes, but not to deceive or manipulate. Instead, the goal should be to enhance authenticity and improve communication skills.
Acting can be defined as living truthfully under the imaginary circumstances of a play or film. The key part of this definition is the “truthfully” element, which in leadership we often call “authenticity.” If a leader’s performance lacks authenticity, followers may lose trust. However, being authentic is not enough; leaders must also be able to express their authenticity effectively to resonate with others.
By studying acting, leaders have the opportunity to work on expressing their true selves, improving the chances to be perceived as authentic by their followers. They can get better at aligning their values and beliefs with what they say and do. They can also become more aware of their body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues that significantly impact how messages are perceived. Acting also develops empathy, as the main point of acting is to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes. These skills can help leaders connect with their audience on a deeper level.
Performance in Action
Biden’s decision to exit the presidential race exemplifies the profound connection between performance and leadership. Despite his accomplishments, his inability to deliver a compelling performance during the debate revealed a critical gap in his leadership approach. This moment serves as a poignant reminder that leaders are indeed actors, and their ability to perform effectively can make or break their success.
Meetings are a microcosm of organizational culture, where individuals adopt various roles to achieve their goals. These performances reflect the complex dynamics within organizations and underscore the need for leaders to navigate them skillfully. Next time you’re in a meeting, observe others. Who is performing well? Who isn’t? Who is really convincing with their arguments, and who isn’t? Who genuinely cares about the issues, and who doesn’t? You’ll quickly notice how everyone is performing. It’s mind-blowing!
Note
You can find a video on this topic“Leaders are Actors” on my YouTube channel:
