Why Top Leaders Use Acting Skills to Win Trust and Influence

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-28

What if the secret to commanding a boardroom isn't more spreadsheets or sharper PowerPoints, but something you'd expect to find on a film set? Matt Zina, an award-winning acting coach and talent agent, thinks so. He's spent over two decades helping actors—and senior leaders—perform with confidence under pressure. In this exclusive interview, he reveals why authenticity beats perfection, and how a few simple acting techniques can make you more persuasive, memorable, and influential. ### The Authenticity Edge: Why Perfection Backfires We've all sat through polished presentations that felt hollow. Matt's advice? Stop trying to be perfect. In 2026, people crave real. That means embracing the stumble, the self-deprecating joke, the moment you forget your line and laugh it off. That's not a failure; it's a connection. - **Authenticity over perfection:** When you let your guard down, you invite people in. They see you, not a scripted persona. - **Emotion drives action:** People don't change because of facts. They change because they feel something. If you want your audience to act, you need to make them feel first. - **Connection over delivery:** The goal isn't to deliver a flawless speech. It's to create a moment where your audience leans in, thinks differently, and walks away transformed. Matt points to Stanislavski, the grandfather of modern acting, who discovered that truthful performances create deeper emotional experiences for audiences. The same principle applies to business. When you're authentic, you're not just talking at people—you're connecting with them. And that connection is what moves them to say yes, to buy, to support, to change. ### Borrowing from the Actor's Toolkit: Presence, Visibility, and Influence Actors, Matt reminds us, are business leaders. They're entrepreneurs of their own brand. The ones who succeed understand that visibility is non-negotiable. They show up consistently, market themselves, and communicate with intention. Many business leaders, he notes, shy away from this. They think social media is beneath them, or that their work should speak for itself. But in today's world, influence is earned through visibility. So, what can you steal from the actor's playbook? - **Cultivate presence:** When you walk into a room, be fully there. Put the phone away, make eye contact, listen. Presence is a choice. - **Practice emotional range:** Great actors access a spectrum of emotions. As a leader, you need to be able to read the room and adapt your tone—whether that's empathy, urgency, or inspiration. - **Build your brand deliberately:** You are a brand, whether you like it or not. Take control of the narrative. Share your insights, your journey, your lessons. Don't leave your reputation to chance. Matt's advice is clear: influence isn't about being the loudest voice. It's about being the most authentic one. When you stop hiding behind titles and slides, and start showing up as a real human, people will listen. They'll trust you. And they'll follow you. ### The Bottom Line: Authenticity Is a Leadership Skill The next time you're preparing a presentation, ask yourself: Am I trying to impress, or am I trying to connect? The answer will change how you show up. Remember, emotions drive actions. If you want to move people, you have to move them emotionally first. So, take a page from the actor's book—be brave, be real, and let your humanity be your superpower.