Meet Rich Henkels

My objective was simple; NOT knowing what awaited actors given a total industry shutdown, I wanted to provide a secure and nurturing environment for performers looking for a way to stay connected, work on their craft and benefit from a supportive community. Now? Actors’ Think Tank members are booking TV/Film/Commercial/Corporate gigs with regularity, all the while supporting each other by sharing their network and their talent and pushing each other to new levels!

An outcome of Actors’ Think Tank, Workforce – The Pilot, is another example of making something happen, about which I take great pride. In something of a holding pattern due to the pandemic, I produced a 47 minute dramatic pilot that is now turning heads on the film festival circuit. Largely self-produced and starring actors I know, respect and have worked with in the past, Workforce – The Pilot is the first of 15 written episodes I plan to share with the world through a production and distribution partner. Again, undertaken in the throws of the pandemic, it’s proven to be an astounding learning experience for me, something I hadn’t initially intended, but now embrace. This experience as an Executive Producer and lead actor has me constantly asking the question, “how can I help others bring their vision to fruition?” Submitted to more than 100 film festivals, Workforce has been accepted by more than 60 % of them and has “awarded” status in 78% of those. Here is a link to our trailer: https://vimeo.com/809368699

Auditioning whenever possible, I am also always taking classes to sharpen my skills and to be prepared when “the big break comes”. As an actor, you can consider me “James Brolin meets Harrison Ford in the latter’s role in The Fugitive”. I am usually cast as a CEO, politician, banker or coach, but can slide easily into the scheming lawyer or cheating corporate executive.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
What would I do if, knowing what I know how, I had to start all over again? Here are three things that readily come to mind:
1- You have two ears and one mouth. Spend more time listening than talking. This isn’t just a matter of self discipline, it’s a matter of learning without having to pay a price yourself! Gifted mentors, or parents, for that matter, tend to “teach from experience” as oppose to pontificate for the sake of doing so. It is our own stubbornness, a very human quality, that keeps us from listening to others and learning from their mistakes!
2- Know your “True North” and develop a plan to get there! Some people are “lucky” and manage to stumble upon professional reward and success, but as they say in the corporate world, “hope is not a strategy”. Take the time in your life to measure your interests and priorities and thereby identify a passion worth pursuing. Once you’ve done that, do the research to develop a roadmap to get there. While your “True North” might change over time (again, a human quality), there are few things more satisfying than seeing real progress along that path, progress tied to a plan well researched and executed. See your careers and goals as a project, then put on your “project management hat”. Set milestones and watch yourself meet or beat them! Now in my third career, my project management hat is well-worn, to say the least!
3- Celebrate the “little victories” in your life! It’s easy to get wrapped up in what I call “the big stuff”. But by waiting to celebrate ONLY when you get a “big win”, you rob yourself of the chance to recognize accomplishments essential to getting ANYTHING important done. It is the “little victories” that validate the process you follow for things. It is the “little victories” that build your confidence and spur you on to the next step. It is the “little victories” that make you breathe, take a time out and take stock in who you are. As a corollary to that, recognize others’ “little victories’ as well. Truly good people, take the time to feed the souls of others.

As a general rule, I recommend looking at life through a philosophical lens. It will provide endless perspective and never divert you from your chosen path!

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents gave me daily lessons about organizational dynamics that have served me well throughout my life. It is worth noting, I am one of a dozen children, so “organizational dynamics” is another name for “family life”. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that what I learned from them about expectations, treating people with kindness, always being respectful, and the value of honesty is applicable in every aspect of my my life.

My father, upon hearing of my frustrations with co-workers, teammates, etc., urged me to always be flexible with my expectations of others, as their measuring stick is right for them, if not for me. It’s a matter of understanding, not judgement, he would tell me.

My mother preached kindness as being the “go to response” for almost any situation, as it is disarming and buys time for full consideration in all cases. Kindness also opens the door for understanding and may well change the expectations others have for you.

As parents, they gave us no choice but to respect one another, and thus created a habit we put to use throughout our lives. As diverse a group of siblings as you will ever find, our family is a microcosm of this world, and thus we are prepared for people of all types, opinions of all kinds and actions both predictable and outlandish. Respect for others serves as a stable foundation.

In one of my final one-on-one conversations with my father, a 97 year old at the time, I asked him “what is the one piece of advice you’d like all of your descendants to embrace?” His answer, “Live your life with honesty and integrity! If you lie once, it’ll become a habit. An ugly habit at that!”