How do you develop and maintain trust and rapport with the people you work with?

1 Communicate clearly and consistently

Communication is the key to any successful collaboration, especially in stage management. You need to communicate clearly and consistently with the people you work with, both verbally and in writing. This means using appropriate language, tone, and format for different situations and audiences, such as rehearsal reports, production meetings, cue sheets, and feedback sessions. It also means being transparent and honest about your expectations, goals, and challenges, as well as listening actively and respectfully to others' opinions, ideas, and concerns. By communicating clearly and consistently, you can establish trust and rapport with your colleagues, as they will know what you are doing, why you are doing it, and how you are doing it.

3 Respect and value diversity

Stage management involves working with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. To develop and maintain trust and rapport with the people you work with, you need to respect and value diversity. You need to acknowledge and appreciate the differences and similarities among your colleagues, as well as the contributions and challenges they bring to the production. You need to avoid making assumptions, judgments, or stereotypes about others, and instead seek to understand and empathize with their views, feelings, and needs. You also need to promote a culture of inclusion, equity, and accessibility in your work environment, where everyone feels welcome, safe, and respected. By respecting and valuing diversity, you can build trust and rapport with your colleagues, as they will feel that you are open-minded, supportive, and fair.

4 Collaborate and cooperate

Stage management is a team effort, where you need to collaborate and cooperate with the people you work with. You need to share your knowledge, skills, and resources with your colleagues, as well as seek their input, feedback, and assistance when needed. You need to support and encourage your colleagues, as well as recognize and celebrate their achievements and efforts. You also need to manage and resolve conflicts constructively, by focusing on the common goals, interests, and values of the production, rather than on personal differences or preferences. By collaborating and cooperating, you can develop and maintain trust and rapport with your colleagues, as they will see that you are cooperative, helpful, and appreciative.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?