This week has been great, I explored Seoul more and went to Lotte World. Although to be completely honest Lotte World was pretty boring – the rides were not that exciting (except for a few) and seemed more oriented towards children. Regardless, it was still a wonderful week of exploring, eating and taking great pictures. I have finally gotten a hang of Seoul now – taking the bus or metro feels natural and I can navigate places without relying on navigation apps.

Before starting my internship in Korea, I would’ve described my leadership style as fast-paced, hands-on, and highly action-driven—especially when it came to shooting films back in the States. On set, I was always moving: organizing shots, directing actors, adjusting lights, editing on the fly. I prided myself on being efficient, quick to troubleshoot, and always keeping things on schedule. In that environment, speed felt like a virtue, and I built my leadership identity around being someone who made things happen fast. But when I arrived in Korea, I wasn’t on a film set. I wasn’t directing actors or racing against golden hour. I was working in a different kind of media environment—one where the pace was different, the expectations were subtler, and the process itself was just as important as the final product. That shift forced me to pause and ask myself: if I’m not shooting films right now, why am I still leading like I am?

At first, I struggled with that question. I jumped into projects the way I always had—setting strict internal deadlines, building detailed checklists, and trying to take control to keep things “efficient.” But it quickly became clear that my American, fast-forward leadership style didn’t fully translate here. People around me were taking their time—being more deliberate, more reflective, and more collaborative in a quiet, steady way. I realized I needed to slow down—not because I was falling behind, but because I was missing out on a better way to lead. One experience that really changed my perspective happened during a collaborative project early in my internship. I was tasked with coordinating a short video and immediately began planning like I was back in the U.S.—breaking the script down, assigning tasks, and moving toward a tight self-imposed deadline. I thought I was being proactive, but I soon realized I wasn’t giving my coworkers space to offer input or take ownership.

So, I changed my approach. I started to embrace a slower, more detailed leadership style, one that mirrored the work culture around me. I asked more questions and waited longer for answers. I focused less on finishing quickly and more on refining as we went. I took time to listen, even if it meant extending timelines slightly. As a result not only did the quality of our work improve, but so did the team dynamic. We all were comfortable collaborating and sharing ideas with each other and took our time to do things. This slower pace also gave me the chance to develop other leadership skills that I hadn’t really exercised before. I became more aware of nonverbal cues—when to offer help, when to step back, when to let silence do the talking.

What’s also made me a better leader is the cross-cultural aspect of this experience. Leading in a different cultural context has shown me that the same leadership style won’t work everywhere and that’s not a bad thing. In the U.S., speed and assertiveness often define leadership. But in Korea, I’ve seen how leadership can be quiet, intentional, and deeply rooted in trust and respect. I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing a leader can do is create space rather than take it. By stepping away from my usual environment, I’ve had the chance to rethink what leadership actually means. I still value initiative and getting things done, but I now see leadership as more than just keeping a tight schedule or making quick decisions. It’s about building relationships, making room for others to shine, and letting the process guide the pace not just the deadline.

As I continue through this internship, I can already feel these changes becoming part of how I show up in group settings. I’m more reflective, more aware, and more intentional in how I lead. And when I do go back to film work, I plan to bring this slower, more collaborative mindset with me. I know now that good leadership doesn’t always move fast – but it always moves with purpose.