What are the most important skills to have to succeed in Entertainment Management?

Hi Beryl,

Good questions! There are definitely managers who lack integrity and are willing to do anything to make a dollar. And some of them are very successful! But there are also wonderful managers, who work hard and are honest, kind-hearted people. They are also successful. I wondered what the entertainment industry would be like when I started out - and there are some bad apples, as with any industry. But what stood out to me was how many hard-working, super smart, family oriented, down to earth people I encountered. They're the majority! Even in entertainment. I found a lot of people I really, really look up to.

Like you, I am not a "life of the party" person, and I worried about that because I don't like "networking." But a friend of mine pointed out that there's schmoozy networking (kind of phony, not the kind I like) and then there's meeting like-minded people who are interested in what you are, and making genuine connections with them. And it turns out that I LIKE that kind of networking. It's organic, and fulfilling, and you're not TRYING to network to get ahead - you're just meeting interesting people.

I hope that helps!
Kendall

You will need to focus on stress and time management. In order to manage stress you have to manage your time wisely. <span style="background-color: transparent;">You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.</span>

Personal integrity is not something people can take from you, it is something you build into everyday with your choices. Every industry has ruthless and self serving people, but honesty, generosity, and professionalism will always be held in the highest regard. If people are behaving in a way you believe to be unacceptable, start a new standard. The only person you must truly be accountable to is you, so take the time to ask yourself what you truly believe in. Beyond that, it is important to afford others the same understanding of their choices as you give yourself.

Do good work.

Great question to discuss, buddy. I don't think any of us in any field ever need to "compromise our values" or keep up with the media-Jones; I've had friends of mine in New York and U.K. Who chose small entertainment careers and they seemed to find balance in their private home life and public life of interviews and spectacles. Then again, I've observed people in perfectly cushy..and rather Boring office jobs who indulge so much in the decadent chocolates..and lavishly pretend lifestyles, that they resort to a Dorian Gray poor me back-to-the-past instead of living in the essence. If you have the courage within you to be great at your work, your work itself will be like that life-long motivational friend that keeps you fit and in the groove of things:))