Latest news with #RobertDeNiro
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Method Leading: How Great Leaders Rehearse Past The Peter Principle
Man practicing his presentation in front of a video camera. The Peter Principle suggests leaders rise to their level of incompetence. But what if the real problem isn't that they've reached their capability ceiling, but that they haven't rehearsed enough for their new role? Award-winning actors would never choose to walk onto a set without thoroughly rehearsing their character. They understand that the key to delivering a stellar performance comes from the time spent developing the character they want to play. Robert De Niro, preparing for Taxi Driver, obtained an actual taxi license and drove 12-hour shifts in New York City for a month before the filming of the movie began. This immersion enabled him to understand even the tiniest details about his character and added authenticity to his entire performance. Yet executives often step into leadership positions relying primarily on their previous skills to help them succeed in the new role. This approach fails to equip them with the necessary tools they need at the beginning. The Development Dimensions International (DDI) Leadership Transitions Report revealed that nearly half of all externally hired executives fail in their new positions, and internally, one-third face a similar Listening Skills To Leadership Active listening is the foundational piece in method acting. Actors must respond authentically to fellow performers and stay present in the moment. When Howard Schultz returned to Starbucks as CEO in 2008, he approached the role as if it were a completely new one, despite his previous success. He first listened to and observed the company's needs, then adjusted his leadership approach and retrained 135,000 baristas. Rosalind Brewer's transitions across Sam's Club, Starbucks, and Walgreens tell a similar story. Moving from retail to coffee to healthcare, Brewer approached each role with a new leadership identity, investing months in learning and listening. Just as method acting requires actors to find ways to immerse themselves in their characters, "Method Leading" insists leaders develop into their roles through deliberate Beyond Memorized Lines Method actors may memorize lines, but they also seek to understand why their character would speak those words. Similarly, effective leaders must master both their verbal and nonverbal communication. Research by UCLA professor Dr. Albert Mehrabian suggests that 55% of communication is nonverbal, 38% is vocal (encompassing tone, pitch, and rhythm), and only 7% relates to the actual words spoken. Leaders should rehearse not just what they say, but how they say it. Recording the way you communicate can be enlightening. Video can help you analyze how others see you and identify any unconscious or negative habits. Actors constantly review film footage to ensure they are always giving their best Your Unique Strengths Great actors don't abandon themselves to become their characters; they find aspects of themselves that connect to the character and sharpen those elements. Similarly, effective leaders take notice of their existing strengths while identifying any skills gaps. Previous roles may have required specific skills, but there are additional capabilities that need continued development. McKinsey & Company revealed in 2017 that 40-50% of new leaders fail within their first 18 months, despite following textbook transition plans. Successful transitions depend less on strict timelines and more on allowing the leader to grow into the new position. Great leaders, like great actors, embrace the process of character development. They understand that leadership isn't about pretending to be someone else, but becoming the best version of yourself in a new context. The Peter Principle only applies to those who stop rehearsing. 'Method Leading' turns leadership concepts into real-world skills through the same practice that actors use to become their characters. By committing to this approach, leaders not only avoid transition failures—they create the breakthrough performances that transform organizations.
Khaleej Times
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro's comedy film 'Meet The Parents 4' gets a new title
The Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro starrer Meet the Parents 4 has officially been renamed Focker in Law, reported Variety. The fourth instalment of the series will also star Blythe Danner, Teri Polo and Owen Wilson, with singer Ariana Grande joining the cast. The new film's title references the surname of Stiller's character, Greg Focker, in the film. In the original movie, Stiller's character endures a lot of painfully awkward hijinks while visiting his girlfriend's parents for the first time. Meet the Parents, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, became a box office blockbuster with $330 million (Dh1.2 billion) worldwide. This comedy film then spawned two commercially successful sequels: 2004's Meet the Fockers (which introduced Greg's parents, Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman) and 2010's Little Fockers. Stiller teased the next instalment during a 25th anniversary screening of Meet the Parents, saying they only returned because they found an "organic reason" to revisit these characters, reported Variety. "What spurred the idea is that I'm the age that Bob was when we did the first movie. It felt like a mirror to the first film, where one of my kids is thinking about introducing his person to the family," Stiller was quoted as saying by Variety. De Niro revealed he's read the screenplay, though he stopped short of offering any plot details. "The script is really fun. I'm looking forward to it," he said. Focker in Law is directed by John Hamburg. It is slated to hit theatres on November 25, 2026.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Was I photobombed by a Hollywood A-lister in Mayo? The evidence is compelling'
It could be said with some justification that anyone can look like Robert De Niro when they itch their eye. The very act of eye itching triggers De Niro's trademark slight head tilt to the side, and downturn of mouth, in all of us. We all have the potential to win Oscars and have our own NYC sushi restaurant - just by prodding a midge that might have entered our general eye socket area. READ MORE: Americans baffled by chicken fillet roll and county's flag READ MORE: Ryanair passenger sobs after being told she cannot board 'over hand luggage' I mention this because it's entirely probable I wasn't photobombed by Robert De Niro in Mayo a week ago. But it's also entirely possible I was. Some context: I was in Westport trying to partake in cafe culture which in Ireland means sitting at a wobbly table half on a town centre footpath, half on the road. To raise a family holiday atmosphere, photos were taken. I'm pictured putting my phone in my pocket having been told to stop Oldham Athletic scrolling. Here's a closeup of a man who at the very least looks a bit like Robert De Niro - either that or it's Robert De Niro Three days later, while scrolling photos of my trips to see Oldham Athletic, I had a closer look at the Mayo cafe photo and noticed... well... what did I notice? You can see here for yourself. Over my left shoulder is a man scratching his eye. But is it any man, or is it an 81 year old legend of the big screen? The man - pictured itching his eye which is something we've already discussed - looks undeniably like Robert De Niro, at the very least. He's wearing a casual jacket and grey shirt and understated sun glasses - a style combo much loved by the highly regarded star of Meet the Fockers. There's the trademark downturn of mouth. Could this really be Robert De Niro, walking past me unnoticed and unacknowledged, or is it some random Focker? This actually is Robert De Niro - not in Mayo but outside Donald Trump's trial in 2024 (Image: Fox News) There's many unanswered questions in this photo. If the man was confirmed at that moment to be Robert De Niro, would I have done anything differently? Would I have stopped him and asked him to replicate his "you talkin' to me" Taxi Driver mirror scene, to much mirth and hilarity? I bet he loves that. Would I ask why actors, who play pretend for a living, give their views on politics even though nobody asked? We could have had an interesting chat about that. Would I have asked him if he likes Ireland, and gurned clapping like a seal if he said yes, which is what Irish people do with foreign celebrities? And what other celebrities have walked past me in my lifetime, completely unnoticed? Is it possible that, when I was a child, Mr T was nearby just as I was losing another tooth to a Wham bar? The answer to that is yes. But the story my Mayo photo could tell remains unfully told. Unless Robert himself can offer clarification. There's all we don't know - but there may be more to follow. He's not the type to turn down an underwhelming sequel - surely. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Meet the Parents 4' will officially be titled ‘Focker In-Law'
The fourth installment of the 'Meet the Parents' film franchise will officially be titled 'Focker In-Law.' Universal/Dreamworks/Kobal/Shutterstock via CNN Newsource The fourth installment of the 'Meet the Parents' film franchise will officially be titled 'Focker In-Law.' Universal Pictures announced the news Monday in an Instagram post, which also confirmed that the film will be released on Thanksgiving 2026. Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo and Owen Wilson will all return to reprise their characters. Ariana Grande will also be joining the cast, although details about her character have yet to be announced. 'The Focker family is expanding,' the caption for the post – which was also shared by Stiller and Grande's Instagram accounts – read. The first 'Meet the Parents' film was released in 2000, with 2004's 'Meet the Fockers' and 2010's 'Little Fockers' sequels following. The films follow Greg Focker (Stiller), a nurse from Chicago, and his partner Pam (Polo) as he navigates milestones in their relationship while dealing with her overprotective former CIA agent father Jack (De Niro), leading to plenty of hilarious awkward moments along the way. Plot points and details about 'Focker In-Law,' which will be directed by 'Little Fockers' producer John Hamburg, have not yet been released. An announcement from Universal also revealed that 'Booksmart' star Beanie Feldstein will also be featured in the cast. Stiller, Polo and De Niro reunited in June at a Tribeca Film Festival screening of 'Meet the Parents' to mark the film's 25th anniversary, where Stiller teased what audiences can expect for the upcoming sequel. 'What spurred the idea is that I'm the age that Bob was when we did the first movie,' he said, according to Variety. 'It felt like a mirror to the first film, where one of my kids is thinking about introducing his person to the family.' Although they stayed mum on details, De Niro teased that he'd already read the screenplay at the time. 'The script is really fun,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to it.'
CNN
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Meet the Parents 4' will officially be titled ‘Focker In-Law'
The fourth installment of the 'Meet the Parents' film franchise will officially be titled 'Focker In-Law.' Universal Pictures announced the news Monday in an Instagram post, which also confirmed that the film will be released on Thanksgiving 2026. Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo and Owen Wilson will all return to reprise their characters. Ariana Grande will also be joining the cast, although details about her character have yet to be announced. 'The Focker family is expanding,' the caption for the post – which was also shared by Stiller and Grande's Instagram accounts – read. The first 'Meet the Parents' film was released in 2000, with 2004's 'Meet the Fockers' and 2010's 'Little Fockers' sequels following. The films follow Greg Focker (Stiller), a nurse from Chicago, and his partner Pam (Polo) as he navigates milestones in their relationship while dealing with her overprotective former CIA agent father Jack (De Niro), leading to plenty of hilarious awkward moments along the way. Plot points and details about 'Focker In-Law,' which will be directed by 'Little Fockers' producer John Hamburg, have not yet been released. An announcement from Universal also revealed that 'Booksmart' star Beanie Feldstein will also be featured in the cast. Stiller, Polo and De Niro reunited in June at a Tribeca Film Festival screening of 'Meet the Parents' to mark the film's 25th anniversary, where Stiller teased what audiences can expect for the upcoming sequel. 'What spurred the idea is that I'm the age that Bob was when we did the first movie,' he said, according to Variety. 'It felt like a mirror to the first film, where one of my kids is thinking about introducing his person to the family.' Although they stayed mum on details, De Niro teased that he'd already read the screenplay at the time. 'The script is really fun,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to it.'
