I recently watched an interview with Tom Hanks in which he described critical advice he recieved from one of the first directors he ever worked with.

He said actors only need to do three things:

- Show up on time

- Know the material

- Have an idea

It seems to me that this advice applies to high-performance teams and high-performance operators as well.

-- Show up on time

The initial meaning of this may seem obvious: Get to meetings on time, don't keep your colleagues waiting. But it also means having the right discussions at the right time, working on the right things at the right time, and delivering the right features in the right order at the right time. Otherwise, risk trying to boil the ocean and failing to do anything well. Timing is key.

-- Know the material

So many individuals and teams have a culture of showing up to meetings without knowing what the meeting's about, the project's goals, the essential principles, the strategic and tactical arc of the work, etc. It's so common to hear people make suggestions or answer questions that lack many of the essential ingredients of prior discussions and conceptual breakthroughs. Context and clarity of thinking is key.

-- Have an idea

Too many people show up to meetings and sit like wallflowers in the back of the room. Obviously, you don't want everyone clammoring over each other just trying to outdo each other. But you do want people to lean in, be engaged, and contribute their best ideas. Engagement is key.

What do you think? Is Tom Hanks' acting advice exactly what operators need to succeed? Any other key bits of advice for great operators and teams?