Expression in service of…
My daughter recently recorded a few songs with Colin Killalea of Chris Keup’s White Star Sound. After hearing a rough cut of the first song, “Anastasia,” I was moved to tell Colin that I saw, I knew, I could tell, that his work was in service of the music. Colin, a remarkable musician and producer, knew exactly what I meant. When I listen, there is no ego, no showing off, no marking territory, no wink to the listener saying, “aren’t I clever?” Our attention remains on the story, the feelings, the beauty and meaning of the song as told through the melody, lyrics, musical performances, and production. The work is to reveal that song, not obscure it. Colin’s work treats the song itself as a precious thing. As you listen, notice the delicate, almost etherial piano, the emotional swell that takes us with the storyteller into her dream, the hush of recognition as the song ends.
This quality of “expression in service of,” threads itself throughout my work and in this blog. Generally, it is connected to Intention. When we communicate, speak in public, present, we want a clear, consciously chosen Intention that puts the attention on the other/the audience, reminding us that our communication is in service of others.
This is illustrated in the theater when we see actors who serve the text compared to actors who draw attention to themselves and their own performance. When the actor’s performance eclipses the text or other actors’ work, we call it “upstaging.” We can see this on the playing field, as well. When players hog the ball or show off for the crowd rather than playing in service of the team, the game, they abandon the true purpose of sport. We see this in meetings, in presentations, at conferences and dinner parties. Certainly, we all fall into this habit sometimes. Maybe when we’re insecure, feel we need acknowledgement, don’t trust that our work will be recognized if we don’t underline it. It’s human.
When we have an Intention that feeds our own egos, we need to step back and reassess. What is the big picture? Why are we speaking at all? What does this serve? Who is this for?
It takes confidence to be a part of the whole, rather than the one who draws attention. It takes humility and generosity to support the group, the team, the others. It’s also the most deeply satisfying and rewarding.
This does NOT mean hiding our own light, always offering the stage to others, avoiding the bold and beautiful risks of speaking out and taking center stage! Not at all! As long as our message, our Intention, is in the service of the play, the talk, the team, the company, the band, the song, the poem, the book, the community, then do it fully with courage!
Next week I’ll give examples of speaking out boldly with a strong voice and presence that is in service of….
Links to ANASTASIA by Anya Movius:
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