Why Business Leaders Should Think Like Actors: Authenticity That Moves People

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-28

What can a veteran acting coach teach a boardroom executive about influence? More than you might think. In this exclusive interview, Matt Zina—an award-winning acting coach, talent agent, and peak performance speaker—sits down with Tabish Ali of the Motivational Speakers Agency to break down why authenticity beats perfection and how the craft of acting can transform the way you lead. Matt is the Founder and CEO of Matt Zina Acting and the creator of the Trinity Acting Method, a technique used internationally. With over two decades in the industry, he's worked with both actors and senior leaders, helping them perform with confidence when the stakes are high. His former life as a professional actor includes credits on UK television shows like *Heartbeat*, *A Touch of Frost*, and *Emmerdale*. Now, he applies those same principles to business communication, camera presence, and personal branding. ### Authenticity: The New Currency of Authority Matt doesn't sugarcoat it: "In 2026, authenticity is everything." But what does that actually look like in practice? For him, it's not about polished perfection. It's about being real, even when that means being a little messy. He describes a scene: someone fumbles their words during a video shoot, laughs it off with a joke like, "Oh, I need to put my teeth in," and just keeps going. Most people would panic and ask for a retake. Matt wouldn't. "It shows authenticity," he says. "Authenticity over perfection." The same applies to presentations. If you're just staring at the back wall, clicking through slides, and expecting people to stay tuned in from start to finish, you've already lost them. Communication has shifted, and leaders need to adapt. When your audience senses that you're being genuine, they lean in. And when they lean in, they're far more likely to actually change how they think or act. ### Emotions Drive Actions Here's the core of Matt's philosophy: emotions drive actions. You can't just present facts and expect people to move. You have to make them feel something first. He traces this idea back to Konstantin Stanislavski, the Russian theater practitioner often called the grandfather of modern acting technique. Stanislavski was the first to seriously study what makes a performance feel truthful and real. He discovered that when actors were fully present in their characters, the audience had a much deeper emotional experience. The same principle applies to leadership. > "Unless people lean into you and have an emotional experience, they will never change anything or come away from that presentation having changed anything about themselves." That's the whole point of speaking or presenting: to create change. Whether you're pitching a new strategy, rallying your team, or speaking at a conference, your goal is to shift perspectives. And that only happens when you connect on an emotional level first. ### What Business Leaders Can Learn from Actors Matt is quick to point out that actors *are* business leaders. As an agent, he constantly reminds his clients, "Look, you are a business. You're a business leader." The ones who get that early on are the ones who succeed. They market themselves, stay visible on social media, and communicate clearly. But here's the catch: many actors, like many executives, see themselves as above the whole personal branding game. They think social media is beneath them. Matt disagrees. "The biggest source of influence at the minute, whether we like it or not, is social media." If you're not there, you're invisible to a huge portion of your audience. Here are a few practical takeaways from Matt's approach that any leader can use right away: - **Embrace imperfection.** A stumble or a joke can build more trust than a flawless delivery. - **Lead with emotion.** Connect with your audience's feelings before you try to change their minds. - **Treat yourself like a brand.** You are a business, whether you like it or not. Show up consistently. - **Adapt to the medium.** Communication has changed. What worked five years ago won't cut it today. ### The Bottom Line Authenticity isn't about being perfect. It's about being present, being real, and being willing to show a little vulnerability. When you do that, you earn attention, build trust, and give your audience a reason to listen. And that's when real change happens. So, the next time you step up to present or speak, think like an actor. Don't just deliver lines. Create an experience. Make them feel something. That's how you move people to act.