--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is an element of performance to…" description: "\"There is an element of performance to leadership, because youre on public display, and I suppose I must be attracted to that. Although, probably more t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/michael-sheen-4062_character_there-is-an-element-of-performance-to-le_2357492.jpg" --- # There is an element of performance to leadership, because… ![“There is an element of performance to leadership, because youre on public display, and I suppose I must be attracted to that. Although, probably more than the leadership, Im more attracted to characters who are quite extreme, and could be considered borderline monsters. Its something you can get…” quote by Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/michael-sheen-4062_character_there-is-an-element-of-performance-to-le_2357492.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/michael-sheen-4062_character_there-is-an-element-of-performance-to-le_2357492.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/michael-sheen-4062_character_there-is-an-element-of-performance-to-le_2357492.jpg) > “There is an element of performance to leadership, because youre on public display, and I suppose I must be attracted to that. Although, probably more than the leadership, Im more attracted to characters who are quite extreme, and could be considered borderline monsters. Its something you can get your teeth into, and I find the psychology fascinating. Its interesting that in searching for monsters to play, you often end up playing leaders.” [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership is portrayed as a performance, attracting those drawn to extreme, almost monstrous characters, revealing a fascination with the psychology of power and control. **In simple terms:** People are drawn to leading roles that feel like extreme characters. Key Takeaway Explore why you are attracted to leadership or extreme personas. Themes leadership performance psychology character power Mood intrigued reflective Type analytical psychological When to use this quote - theatre auditions - casting decisions - career counseling - personal development - team management Key Concepts role theory identity extremity Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of leadership feel like a performance to you? - Do you seek power or the challenge of complex characters? A Different Perspective Attraction to extreme characters may mask deeper insecurities about authority. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attracted Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attracted-characters-616146/) [Borderline Monsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borderline-monsters-5761713/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Playing Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-leaders-4802429/) [Searching Monsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/searching-monsters-4802430/) ## Related quotes > [Its interesting that in searching for monsters to play you often end up playing leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/its-interesting-that-in-searching-for-monsters-to-play-you-often-end/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [It's interesting that in searching for monsters to play you often end up playing leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/it-s-interesting-that-in-searching-for-monsters-to-play-you-often-end/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [It's the American leadership that has not played the role it should be playing and that leaders in other countries have been playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-sachs/it-s-the-american-leadership-that-has-not-played-the-role-it-should/) [Jeffrey Sachs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-sachs/) > [We're always attracted to characters who are people we could identify with and yet are put through incredibly tortured or difficult circumstances - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-hoeber/we-re-always-attracted-to-characters-who-are-people-we-could-identify/) [Erich Hoeber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-hoeber/) > [Very rarely am I attracted to characters that are 'woe is me.' I'm not a big fan of women that have to be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-kunis/very-rarely-am-i-attracted-to-characters-that-are-woe-is-me-i-m-not-a/) [Mila Kunis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-kunis/) > [I'm very attracted to characters who don't necessarily make it easy to be loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlize-theron/i-m-very-attracted-to-characters-who-don-t-necessarily-make-it-easy/) [Charlize Theron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlize-theron/) > [I'm always perversely attracted to characters that seem one thing, but are ultimately revealed as another...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-goldwyn/i-m-always-perversely-attracted-to-characters-that-seem-one-thing-but/) [Tony Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-goldwyn/) > [I am most attracted to characters and stories that I can relate to. The traditional formula of 'larger than life' I never found attractive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhay-deol/i-am-most-attracted-to-characters-and-stories-that-i-can-relate-to/) [Abhay Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhay-deol/) > [I was always attracted to characters that were in some level of turmoil or suffering because I had so much of that in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-gregson-wagner/i-was-always-attracted-to-characters-that-were-in-some-level-of/) [Natasha Gregson Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-gregson-wagner/) > [The quality of your life was determined by the quality of your service. I'm attracted to characters who have a higher calling, who want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/the-quality-of-your-life-was-determined-by-the-quality-of-your/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I think you're always attracted by characters that are a little bit like you, or at least the worst parts of you that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-pugh/i-think-you-re-always-attracted-by-characters-that-are-a-little-bit/) [Florence Pugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-pugh/) > [I'm in the business to push it. I'm not likely to be attracted to characters I've already done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-harmon/i-m-in-the-business-to-push-it-i-m-not-likely-to-be-attracted-to/) [Mark Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-harmon/) > [I'm not likely to be attracted to characters I've already done. I have to be almost frightened by the possibility of taking it on.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-harmon/i-m-not-likely-to-be-attracted-to-characters-i-ve-already-done-i-have/) [Mark Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-harmon/) > [I'm attracted to stories that excite my imagination, stories that, as I'm reading the script, I feel it, I can see it, I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-maslany/i-m-attracted-to-stories-that-excite-my-imagination-stories-that-as-i/) [Tatiana Maslany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-maslany/) > [I've always been attracted to characters that were interesting to me, and different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milla-jovovich/i-ve-always-been-attracted-to-characters-that-were-interesting-to-me/) [Milla Jovovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milla-jovovich/) ## More by Michael Sheen > [I don't want to do something that I've done before; I can't see the point of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-don-t-want-to-do-something-that-i-ve-done-before-i-can-t-see-the/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [A lot of the times when I've auditioned for parts in America, the answer is, 'Sorry, we need a bigger name.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/a-lot-of-the-times-when-i-ve-auditioned-for-parts-in-america-the/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [Everyone deserves compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/everyone-deserves-compassion/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I'm always aware that there are, broadly speaking, two different ways to act: there is acting, and then there's being, and I'm always more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-m-always-aware-that-there-are-broadly-speaking-two-different-ways/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I always say if I'm not good at something it's just because I've not had time to focus on it... it's just uncrafted, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-always-say-if-i-m-not-good-at-something-it-s-just-because-i-ve-not/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/the-first-thing-when-i-read-the-script-is-that-i-need-to-care-about/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I think the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can shift on you at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-think-the-story-of-alice-in-wonderland-in-a-way-is-a-reminder-that/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [For me, what makes life enjoyable is having a shared culture and shared references.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/for-me-what-makes-life-enjoyable-is-having-a-shared-culture-and/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I perceive and relate to the world through where I grew up; that's part of me. It's what I judge everything else against.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-perceive-and-relate-to-the-world-through-where-i-grew-up-that-s/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-m-not-a-tony-blair-impersonator/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [You don't want to get into doing the same thing, over and over again. I know I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/you-don-t-want-to-get-into-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again-i/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [We see death constantly on film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/we-see-death-constantly-on-film/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [Getting older is a struggle. I always feel that just under the surface of acceptance and enjoyment of the ageing process is a terrible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/getting-older-is-a-struggle-i-always-feel-that-just-under-the-surface/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [Wherever you come from, you carry the place with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/wherever-you-come-from-you-carry-the-place-with-you/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I live a very Kenneth Williams-like existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-live-a-very-kenneth-williams-like-existence/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) [Explore all 116 Michael Sheen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is an element of performance to leadership, because youre on public display, and I suppose I must be attracted to that. 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