How you can marry worldviews with a garter belt & the can-can
Posted by Lee-Anne Ragan | Filed under Conflict resolution, Creativity & innovation
I’m on the verge of serving you better through launching a new website. It’s taken bursts of creativity which made me think of what you could learn from a wildly creative story involving a new take on an old tradition, the can-can & big surprises all around.
But first, think of a situation where you need to amp up your creativity then, sit back, relax, put your feet up & think about how you can apply some of the lessons below.
This is a true tale of two wildly different groups & how I brought them together.
23 years ago I had a brand new wedding ring on my finger & the sun had set on a glorious West Coast day. I’d married my honey & now it was time to get the party started, specifically it was time to throw the garter belt (that’s us above).
Imagine a room filled with family & friends, gathered round, waiting for Doug (my new hubbie) to throw my garter belt.
To some of our more conservative family, this would be a normal & welcome tradition. However to our more activist friends & family (including my new mama-in-law), this would be an unwelcome, sexist ritual. What’s a bride to do?
Think outside the garter of course.
I cued the previously prepped DJ & ‘You can keep you hat on’ started playing. In my traditional long gown, as the sultry music filled the room, I shimmied, shook & sidled up to my surprised hubbie. His eyebrows shot up as high as the ceiling but he was game.
Just before I settled into the proffered chair so he could remove my garter belt, I suddenly hoisted my long gown above my waist & revealed green plaid boxers & green high tops.
Out of the corner of one eye I see Doug’s mom cheering wildly. And as I sit down, I notice movement behind me. I turn around & my jaw drops to the floor.
My mom, aunties, nana & cousins were all wearing green high tops & doing the can-can. (As my mom had made my gown I didn’t’ want her to possibly be upset so she was the only person I’d let in on the secret,)
Everyone howled, the conservatives & the activists.
Lessons learned:
- It is possible to bring disparate worldviews together
- Think outside the garter
- Respect tradition
- AND layer on your own
- Use humour strategically
Bringing us to the present day, my new website is almost ready. I’ve got new ways to serve you, both in person & online. I’ve got some fun surprises & creative ways for you to get involved (fortune telling anyone?). A marriage of tradition & new, of bringing together worldviews.
Rock.Paper.Scissors Inc. started as an improv entertainment company, then included training when I came onboard. Now it’s a fully learning & development (training company). My amazing business partner & gifted comedian, Diana Frances, has gone on to other things, focusing on her writing. I won’t forget the lessons I learned from her & other improvisers about the strategic uses of humour & creativity.
Your turn.
See if you can apply some of my lessons to a situation you’re facing where you need to amp up your creativity.
- What can you marry together?
- How can you ahem, think outside the garter
- How can you respect tradition AND layer on your own touches
- How can you use humour strategically
See you next week with a whole new look & a brand new website.
Annnnnnnd take action
- Take my quick creativity assessment
- Check out this very sweet short video clip – talk about thinking outside the err, box
- Take a peek at Diana Frances’ website
Tags: Conflict resolution, creativity, garter, problem solving
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