When the legendary director, William Friedkin told the story of directing The Hunted, he wasn’t talking about leadership, but he might as well have been.
He described working with three actors: Tommy Lee Jones, Benicio del Toro, and Nick Nolte.
Each with completely different approaches. Tommy Lee Jones wanted clarity and precision. Friedkin gave him marks on the floor and minimal direction. Del Toro wanted depth and motivation, so Friedkin made space for questions and exploration. Nolte handed him a 300-page novel about his character. Friedkin skimmed a few lines, said it was great, and moved on.
That story sums up what good management looks like. You can’t lead everyone the same way.
With Jones, you give structure and trust. With del Toro, you coach. With Nolte, you nod, smile, and keep the production on track. You don’t need to understand everyone’s process; you need to understand what they need from you.
Management and Leadership is about flexing between those modes without losing sight of the goal.
Friedkin understood that the director’s job isn’t to control but to create the conditions for people to do their best work. “They’ve got to be cast right,” he said. “If they’re not cast right, you’ve got no chance.” It’s the same in business. Hire people for what they can do, give them clarity, and don’t overcomplicate the process.
Know when to direct, when to collaborate, and when to stay quiet.
At Underpin, this is how we work. Every project has its Tommy Lee Jones, its Benicio del Toro, and its Nick Nolte. Some people want clear steps and to be left alone. Some need space to test and question. Others need to map everything before they can start. Our job isn’t to force everyone into one process. it’s to understand what gets the best out of each person while keeping the story moving.
We don’t manage by template. We set direction, keep communication simple, and adapt to the people doing the work. When the brief is clear and the team is trusted, the rest takes care of itself. That’s how we lead projects: not through control, but through understanding. It’s how you deliver the scene, hit the mark, and still have everyone ready for the next take.