If, like me, you are over a certain age, then you may well not have heard of the singer who goes by Chappell Roan. I certainly had not, until introduced to her fun and infectious songs by my daughter earlier this summer.
One of my favorites is entitled, “Pink Pony Club” which tells the story of a young woman leaving her small town to pursue her dreams in LA, ultimately finding acceptance and joy while dancing at The Pink Pony Club. Life for the narrator at this fictional club exceeds expectations, as she says in the second verse, “Every night’s another reason why I left it all / I thank my wicked dreams”.
This despite knowing that these “wicked dreams”, “won’t make my mama proud / it’s gonna cause a scene / She sees her baby girl / I know she’s gonna scream / God what have you done / You’re a Pink Pony Girl / And you dance at the club”.
In the third and final verse, however, Roan breaks the familiar pattern – rebellious girl finds freedom and buries or forgets her past – and chooses a different coda for her story. Unexpectedly the narrator sings, “Don’t think I’ve left you all behind / Still love you and Tennessee / You’re always on my mind”.
She eschews bitterness and resentment; looks hopefully to a future which has yet to be written rather than angrily at a past that cannot be changed; and demonstrates love, compassion and vulnerability.
In Pink Pony Club, Roan chooses kindness over confrontation and reminds us that, while we will not always agree with each other, we can still disagree with love and compassion.
Do you and your business choose kindness over confrontation every day? Do you look for ways to engage customers, prospects, colleagues and partners with positivity or negativity? Are you co-crafting a story with these constituents or are you imposing one on them? Have you found ways to respectfully disagree with others without attempting to dominate or control them?
Early on in my professional Improv career I learned a valuable lesson: treat the audience well. Make sure they feel supported by the actors on stage so that they can happily play their role with confidence. In Pink Pony Club, Chappell Roan promotes a similar and broader concept – treat others well, respect (but do not judge) their opinions, and follow your heart.
If you, your colleagues and your organization treat your various and sundry “audiences” well, you will build deeper relationships, lower employee churn, and grow your own business more effectively. Do this consistently and with authenticity and you might just find that your products and services are H-O-T-T-O-G-O*.
(*The title of another Chappell Roan banger.)
