Kerry Washington: Olivia Pope Role Taught Business Leadership

Actress Kerry Washington has shared that her prominent role as Olivia Pope in the television series "Scandal" significantly influenced her understanding of leadership and business operations.

Washington, who also founded the production company Simpson Street, recently spoke at the Inc. 5000 Conference and Gala in Dallas, Texas. She detailed how portraying the crisis management expert provided insights into her own leadership approach.

"When I read the script for Olivia Pope and started to play that character, I knew enough about what power looked like to get the role," Washington said. "But I had never really in my life embodied power."

She explained that embodying the character taught her what it looks like to own a business, manage people, and run her own company. Washington noted that Olivia Pope concretely taught her "how to be a boss."

Through the role, Washington gained experiences and perspectives she initially lacked, which has inspired her to consider business ownership in her own career.