What do two of television’s most compelling dramas—Severance and Succession—have to teach us about excellence? Quite a lot, if you ask Seth Hurwitz. The Washington D.C.-based concert promoter and founder of I.M.P., best known for shaping iconic live music experiences at venues like the 9:30 Club, sees clear parallels between great television and great leadership: precision, tone, and the refusal to compromise on vision. His approach to cultivating intentionality is featured here, where he discusses the leadership choices behind his legacy in live music.

Hurwitz, who has spent decades curating unforgettable live shows, understands excellence not as polish but as intentionality. That’s exactly what sets Succession and Severance apart. These shows don’t just look good—they’re built on a foundation of cohesive storytelling and sharp aesthetic discipline. Every line, every set, every pause has a purpose.

For Hurwitz, the takeaway isn’t just artistic—it’s operational. Whether you’re crafting a tour lineup or producing an HBO drama, the real work is in holding the line. Excellence means saying no more often than yes. It means letting the vision lead, even when it costs more, takes longer, or rattles nerves. Seth Hurwitz’s definition of aesthetic leadership reflects his commitment to operational excellence through creative control and risk tolerance.

Succession delivers on this through tone. Its dialogue is razor-edged, its pacing brutal, its humor ice-cold. The show’s commitment to tone is what makes it so effective—it never breaks character, even when it flirts with absurdity. Hurwitz has a similar commitment in his own domain. He doesn’t chase every trend. He curates. What makes the 9:30 Club feel different, he’d argue, isn’t just the sound system—it’s the sense that every decision behind the scenes was made with care.

Severance, by contrast, teaches us about cohesion. Its world-building is surreal yet emotionally coherent, anchored by an eerie calm and brutalist precision. Seth Hurwitz sees this as a lesson in creating atmosphere—something he considers essential in live events. A great show, like a great episode, immerses the audience so fully that they forget where they are. That level of immersion takes guts—and follow-through.

Both shows also trust their audience. They don’t over-explain or play it safe. Hurwitz operates the same way. He believes in giving people the best version of a thing, not the most palatable one. That trust creates loyalty. It’s why some fans come to his venues no matter who’s playing.

At a time when mass appeal often means watering things down, Seth Hurwitz—and the minds behind Succession and Severance—offer a counterpoint: Excellence doesn’t mean doing everything. It means doing the right things—really, really well.