Acting and hosting are skills that can be valuable in a corporate career, even for those who are not pursuing a traditional career in entertainment. 60 Documentaries as a show host, 20+ anchor host and a few telemovies later, I realised that acting can help individuals to communicate effectively, build confidence, and present a professional image. Hosting skills can also be useful in corporate settings, as they involve the ability to engage an audience, present information in an organized and clear manner, and think on one’s feet.
I’m not asking everyone to become a freelance or part-time TV host or actor, but over the past 12 years of doing this part-time and as a hobby, I am listing down a few specific ways that acting and hosting skills can be useful:
1. Public speaking: Many corporate professionals are required to give presentations or speak in front of groups. Acting techniques can help individuals to deliver their message with confidence and clarity, while also engaging their audience. Hosting skills, such as the ability to improvise and think on one’s feet, can also be useful in handling questions or unexpected situations during a presentation.
2. Networking: Acting and hosting involve interacting with a wide range of people, which can be a valuable skill in building professional relationships and networking. Being able to confidently and effectively communicate with others can help individuals to make connections and establish themselves as professionals.
3. Leadership: Acting and hosting require strong leadership skills, such as the ability to take charge of a situation and guide others. These skills can be useful for those looking to take on leadership roles in their careers.
4. Creativity: Acting and hosting involve using creativity and improvisation to come up with new ideas and approaches. These skills can be valuable in a corporate setting, where the ability to think creatively can help individuals to find solutions to problems and stand out from the competition.
In addition to the skills mentioned above, being a freelance TV host can also offer a unique perspective and set of experiences that can be valuable in a corporate career. Freelance hosts often have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, which can provide a diverse skill set and the ability to adapt to different situations.
The above skills helped me directly in my career in the corporate world during my tenure in TIME dotCom Berhad and Axiata and especially now in the renewable energy startup SOLS Energy, ChargeSingh and the SOLS247 Group.
In summary, learning how to act and being a freelance TV host can provide valuable skills and experiences that can be beneficial in a corporate career. These skills can help individuals to communicate effectively, build confidence, and think creatively, all of which can be useful in a wide range of professional settings.
Talk to me if you would like to pursue this as a hobby.
Credit to Canva and ChatGPT Open AI for creating this article and graphics!