Embracing Your Authentic Voice: Interview With International Award-Winning Director Tricia Brouk

Tricia Brouk has been making waves for years, creating theatrical productions for big-name studios like ABC, Showtime, and Fox. Her latest book, "The Influential Voice," gives you the tools you need to find your voice - and become the influencer that you want to be. We caught up with her for a quick chat to ask her some questions about what it means to be influential and authentic in today's world.

Tricia: When you are an influential voice, you also have to be willing to be criticized and prepared to receive unsolicited feedback from people you know and you don't know. It's impossible to control how anyone else is going to respond. And if you try to avoid negative takeovers, you are limiting your voice and preventing the person who is meant to hear what you have to say from hearing it. When you are in full integrity and in alignment with your purpose, values, and mission, then those negative words cannot penetrate your vision. I'm not condoning poor behaviour, undignified communication, hate speech, negative talk, or lazy talk; I am, however, saying that we cannot avoid being judged once we step into the role of being an influential voice. We can, however, learn to coexist with everyone's opinion, when we stay in our truth. 

Tricia: I think that if you are consciously stepping into the role of being an influential voice, you cannot make the mistake of thinking that you are only influential in your current sphere. When we speak out, speak up, and communicate on public platforms, whether it's on stage or on social media, we have a responsibility to what we say and how we say it. And to think that showing up as an influential voice will only really affect "my corner of the world", is irresponsible. And I invite the readers to consider why they desire to become an influential voice. And then to recognize that a teacher, for example, who is an influential voice to her students, may think that their influence is limited to that school year. I highlight that the teachers' influence has a ripple effect well beyond that sphere and well into the future of the students who've been influenced. As a communicator and an influential voice, how you show up and how you communicate affects every person you come in contact with. And every person they come into contact with. Your sphere of influence is far bigger than you know. That is why being an influential voice comes with such a great responsibility.

Tricia: Being influential is not about what you are saying. It’s about how you are saying it. How often have you been told something by your parents or your partner and cannot hear it? And then a friend points it out, and you are surprised at their astute observation. When you are an influential voice, it means being clear on what you want from your audience and knowing how to get it and how you go about doing that. Talking about racial injustice and environmental justice is not about turning up the volume, it’s about effectively communicating through your lens, your point of view, so that you can be heard and potentially influence the listener to think differently. To adopt your way of thinking as their own. And if they cannot adopt your idea as their own, they come to the conclusion that both ideas and points of view can coexist. Again, I emphasize that my values include; inclusion, dignity, excellence, respect, curiosity, and love. So, when I’m having a conversation with someone who is unaware of their racial hostility, I’m not going to judge them, I’m going to have an open dialogue getting curious and speaking with dignity and respect, to better understand their point of view and share mine so that we may coexist as human beings on the planet. And again, I’m not condoning hate, racism, or discrimination of any kind. I’m saying that we, as influential voices, must also listen.

Tricia: I don't think I can recall ever being overlooked, but certainly, not chosen. And that is because of my point of view, how I see the world. Through my career in showbiz as a dancer, writer, producer, and director, I got used to being rejected. It was part of the job. And, I knew that those "no's" were "not yet's," and today I frame that exact thinking to all my speakers. If I don't choose you to speak on my stage this time, I may next time. I always send an email with the result of their application as "not yet." And I actually love that you've asked me about being overlooked. Through my lens, being overlooked is a result of being small, silent, or even inauthentic. Being rejected means they see you because you've shown up in alignment and the truth of who you are, and simply aren't buying what you are selling. It's not personal, it's business. 

Tricia: Being an influential voice has nothing to do with being charismatic. This is why anyone can be an influential voice. Sure, charisma may be a quality that can seduce someone into being influenced, but that kind of influence can also be dangerous. Being influenced by charisma, power, money, or fame is inauthentic and fleeting.  

Being an influential voice comes with great responsibility. When you are speaking about something you care deeply about, using language that is dignified and respectful, always listening while avoiding manufactured charisma or manipulation, you step into the role of being an influential voice. And this is how you can use your voice to make the world a better place.