In Praise of the Unusual

It’s Monday and that can only mean one thing.? It’s time to share!!? Ok, it can mean other things, but if something is not normal to you, it doesn’t mean it’s not to the other person.? ?????

While I love that you read my words in written form, as usual, if you would rather listen, in either of Canada’s official languages, click here: People Power Everything Podcast (Version Francophone)

Last month, a friend invited me to ?leSoniq, an electronic dance music festival billed as the largest of its kind in Canada, attracting about 200,000 people over two days. I had no idea what to expect, as I had never been to an EDM festival—what some refer to as "a massive rave." I wish I had known about the eclectic dress code beforehand, with some attendees wearing very little and others donning elaborate costumes. Barbie's Ken was there, complete with a see-through box packaging. We encountered a group of Hulkamaniacs, with the bravest among them sporting blonde mustaches and, at one point, ripping their shirts in true Hulk Hogan fashion. We saw countless fishnets, creative makeup, bedazzled faces and clothing, as well as others dressed casually and ready to dance. I was particularly impressed by a fan's reflective pink shoes that lit up. He told me I could buy them online. They might just be my next pair for a talk!

The music was the main attraction and mostly lived up to expectations. It was undeniably loud, but this is a music festival, after all. Older me stayed a safe distance from the speakers, though I noticed many people, young and old, wearing earplugs—definitely something to purchase before next time.

One thing that stood out to me was the absence of judgment. People were there simply to have fun, wearing whatever they wanted. In the evening, massive inflatable creatures roamed the crowd, greeted with smiles and awe at the amazing visuals set against the light show from the enormous stage. Despite likely being among the oldest 10% of attendees, I didn’t feel out of place. On the contrary, our little group, with an average age of about 50, was approached by people who thought it was cool that we were there. Some even mentioned that they would be telling their parents it's okay to attend next year.

After two days of dancing for about six hours each day, I was ready for it to be over, but I left with a very positive afterglow. The festival was a celebration of people from many walks of life just having fun, dressed up—the weirder, the better—listening to energizing music, and blowing off steam. The latter was something I was very ready for. Never did I feel awkward being "old." Everyone I spoke to was nice, fun-loving, helpful, and cheerful, even through the short yet heavy rains. At one point, we were graced with the coveted double rainbow, which became the defining image of the festival for me. People were being their full selves—or perhaps becoming anyone they wanted to be—energized by bass-heavy music, jumping, singing, and waving in unison, simply being beautiful as a very large group under the grey skies. It sounds utopian, I know, but that's how it felt to me.

I see lessons we can all learn, both in our lives outside of work and in the office.

First, just be nice. Like the many thousands of people sharing a space and a limited number of toilets, smile at each other, talk, laugh, let someone go first, and say thank you when someone waves you through.

Second, feel as one. No matter our backgrounds, we share a common bond in the music and energy of the festival. In business, this could translate to our shared objectives and missions within our organizations. Take a minute every so often to pause and realize that we are all on the same team—whether in our jobs with our teams or out in the wider world where we all share many of the same trials and feelings. We can and should help each other be better. It is not a zero-sum game. We can all contribute to growing the pie, so to speak. There doesn’t always need to be a loser. Even when there is, we can win and lose with dignity and respect for others. Often, we aren’t actually competing with others but with ourselves. I know it might sound corny, but becoming a better version of ourselves every day is a massive win, especially when that includes supporting those around us.

Third, don’t be afraid to say yes. Yes to new experiences. Yes to learning. Yes to talking to strangers. Yes to trying something new and challenging that might scare us. Yes to smiles, laughter, and love. While these might not sound like they all apply at work, they absolutely can and, in my humble opinion, should.

Lastly, embrace the unusual. While I will likely never be the most flamboyantly dressed person at a music festival, I appreciate those who have the courage to stand out. They inspire the rest of us to be a little braver, to try a little bit of "weird," to wear colors that don’t seem to be part of the dress code, and to have some fun. The same should happen at work. Strange ideas should be welcomed and explored. Few truly innovative ideas didn’t start as highly unusual. Go back 30 years, and much of our daily lives would have seemed unlikely or even possible. I’m not saying everything has turned out perfectly, but the point remains: what seems bizarre today could be tomorrow’s normal. And as the saying goes, "there is nothing more permanent than change," so why not have some fun with it and put ourselves out there?? This is something that I try to bring to all my work experiences, trying to do as mom always told me “Just go for it”, try something new and don’t be too concerned about being judged.? Those who do try usually stand out as examples by those who truly matter, and don’t put much weight on judgments.?

I have to thank my very good friend Martin for inviting me to the festival. It was unusual for me, and it was awesome. The music, the lights, the atmosphere, and the energy were all exactly what I needed when I needed it. And, of course, the people were what made it all truly great, as they always do—because People Power Everything.

John

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From Hymn to Adversity by Thomas Gray written in 1753:

Thy form benign, O Goddess, wear,

Thy milder influence impart,

Thy philosophic train be there

To soften, not to wound, my heart,

The generous spark extinct revive,

Teach me to love and to forgive,

Exact my own defects to scan,

What others are, to feel, and know myself a man.