Take Your Seat. The Scene Starts with You.

Leadership Is Not a Title – It’s a First Step 

Leadership is often misunderstood as something that comes with a title or an invitation. In reality, leadership begins the moment you decide to step forward and make a move. Think of a movie set: long before the awards and the red carpet, a director is out there filming scenes on a shoestring budget, driven by passion and vision. The same is true of leadership in business and life. It starts when someone has the courage to show up and take initiative—before the recognition, before the “official” approval, before anyone calls out “Action!” In essence, leadership is not bestowed; it’s asserted through proactive effort and early action. 

Great Leaders — and Great Directors — Start Before They’re Ready 

Consider the story of filmmaker Barry Jenkins. He didn’t wait for Hollywood’s permission to tell his story. Jenkins wrote and directed Moonlight largely outside the traditional studio system, pouring his vision into a project that was shot in just 25 days on a budget of only $1.5 million. The result? An Oscar for Best Picture and a place in cinema history. Moonlight’s success proved that a bold vision could trump limited resources. Jenkins conceived the film years before the spotlight found him, and he pursued it with relentless focus long before any accolades or “green lights” came his way. 

Now look at Canadian auteur David Cronenberg. In the 1970s, Cronenberg was crafting low-budget, boundary-pushing horror films in Toronto—far from the Hollywood limelight. Early cult classics like Shivers (1975) and Rabid (1977) were made with limited means but unlimited imagination. He took creative risks that startled audiences (and even censors) long before he became a household name. It was only after a decade of such work that Cronenberg had a breakout with 1979’s The Brood, a film so provocative that it gained extra publicity from censorship battles on its way to an R-rating. In other words, he didn’t wait to be chosen by the big studios; he created his own role as a visionary director. 

These examples carry a clear message: great directors (and great leaders) don’t wait to be ready or to be invited. They start before anyone points the spotlight at them. They don’t wait to be appointed to leadership—they lead from where they stand. In organizations, the next chapter often begins not when someone hands you a new title, but when you take initiative and write the opening scene yourself. The Barry Jenkins and David Cronenbergs of the world succeeded because they made the first move, defining their roles through action. Likewise, in any field, impactful leaders create the opportunity instead of waiting for permission. 

The Canadian Context – Why Canada Needs Leaders Who Think Big 

Zooming out to the broader stage, Canada in 2025 is experiencing seismic shifts that call for bold leadership. From a sweeping energy transition to a nationwide housing crunch, from massive infrastructure projects to a rapidly evolving workforce, change is happening on all fronts. Traditional leadership virtues—decency, authenticity, professionalism—remain as important as ever. Yet today’s landscape also demands urgency, ambition, adaptability, and vision.  

Leaders are now faced with multifaceted challenges: achieving climate goals while fostering economic growth, addressing housing affordability, upgrading aging infrastructure, and navigating an aging population alongside technological disruption in the workforce. In fact, as one energy industry think-tank noted, Canada’s future prosperity hinges on leaders who can help workers adapt to new opportunities in a shifting clean economy. Across every sector and at every level, the leaders who will thrive are those who think big, act decisively, and bring others along. Canada doesn’t just need managers to maintain the status quo; it needs trailblazers who see what could be and rally their teams to pursue it. 

Making the Movie, Leading the Moment 

Directing a film offers powerful lessons for leading through uncertainty. Great directors and great leaders share a “Go Big” mindset built on a clear vision, resourcefulness, and execution: 

• Vision: Like a director imagining the story before filming, leaders see potential where others don’t. They craft a compelling future and rally others behind it. 
• Resourcefulness: With limited budgets and tight timelines, filmmakers adapt and innovate. Likewise, bold leaders solve problems creatively and keep momentum going, no matter what the constraints are. 
• Execution: A great idea means nothing without action. Filmmakers call “Action!”—leaders make a move, turning their vision into reality, even if the first draft isn’t perfect. 

Real leaders don’t wait for ideal conditions. They start with what they have, knowing progress beats perfection. Like any great film, leadership evolves take by take. 

Progress Over Permission 

Leadership isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you do. Too often, people hold back because they feel they need a title or permission. But real leadership begins when you take initiative. 

What move have you been waiting to make? You don’t need a perfect plan—just like a filmmaker doesn’t need a finished script to start shooting. Progress happens when you begin, adapt, and keep going. The most impactful leaders earn influence by acting—not waiting. Every big leap starts with a small, bold step. 

Take Your Seat – Make the Move 

Whether you’re a filmmaker, entrepreneur, public sector professional, or corporate leader, bold leadership begins with a single step. If you’re ready to take the lead—on set, on stage, or in your organization—Schulich ExecEd is here to support you. Explore programs designed for leaders driving ambitious change across Canada’s evolving industries. Talk to our Education Advisors to chart your next move.

Take Your Seat. Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be. The Move Is Yours.