Here's how you can position yourself for leadership opportunities in media production.

Learn everything you can. EVERYTHING. Whether you're looking to be a Producer, Director of Photography, or any of the indispensable roles: onsite, flexibility is essential. You don't have to be an expert on every piece of gear, process, treatment, or trend; but be able to talk fluidly about all aspects of production. Additionally, don't forget to foster your soft skills in addition to your technical skills. Learn how to present yourself, maintain quality and candid client relationships, stay organized, and provide excellent customer service. Handing a client their favorite coffee order at the top of the day goes far when you're in hour 12 of the shoot.

Leadership involves multiple strategies of positioning. Hone your technical skills - master the latest software, tools and production techniques. Develop skills related to writing, directing, editing, and project management. Make strong connections within the industry, and connect with experienced professionals who can serve as mentors. Actively seek opportunities to lead projects, whether it’s leading high-quality video campaigns or curating complex live events. Demonstrate your ability to innovate, solve problems and motivate your team. With dedication, adaptability and a keen eye for storytelling, you can rise to the top of the media production ranks.

Show up. Find the professionals in your area that are doing the work you'd like to do. Reach out, be respectful and humble, and show up for any opportunity that they have. Don't work too much for free, but also don't say know if they're willing to train you from the ground up. As you grow, your network will grow. I always assume I'm the dumbest, lowest skilled person on site - even as a Producer, DP, or Director. We rely on the team for success, and they rely on you, too!

Many of us in media, myself included, have a tendency to focus solely on networking within our industry. And while connecting with my fellow producers and sharing experiences is invaluable, I've realised it's equally important to expand my horizons. If you specialise in tech content, for example, immerse yourself in the tech world: attend conferences, product launches, and engage with tech professionals. Similarly, if your expertise lies in religious content, build relationships with faith leaders and participate in relevant events. It may seem obvious where you might be thinking "Duh!", but it's surprising how easy it is to become insular within our own industry.

Always show your work. Is it not perfect? Probably. Will it connect with someone? Also probably. You can't get hired if no one knows you're ready to work! As you gain more experience, you will be able to show more polished projects. Keep at it.

Don't rely too much on the newest "easy" way - standards are established for generally sound reasons; but also don't shy away from what's hot and next. Push the envelope, take chances, and have fun!

Don't overlook "related" experiences. Want to learn how to write better scripts? Jump at Ad Copy opportunities. Art Direction? Learn the basicsof Adobe, Unreal, etc. A Business Development course can help, too.