To say the world is in turmoil is an understatement. Everything has been turned upside down. What do you do in the midst of tragedy when the show must go on? It may be a meeting, a conference, or event. Maybe there was a death in the company or there may have been mass layoffs. As the leader, how do you speak to your team or the audience when people are afraid and life is uncertain? How do you keep moving on? Here’s what you don’t do. You don’t ignore the tragedy.
Years ago, comedian Joan Rivers lost her husband after a long illness. It was time to get back to entertaining audiences across the country. But they all knew what happened. How could she start telling jokes? She didn’t. She named the elephant in the room and acknowledged her husband’s long illness and the painful time. She told her story briefly, transitioned, and then the audience was ready for comedy. She first needed to give herself and the audience permission to laugh.
We now have a world-wide tragedy with more than one war taking place. After the bombing in the Middle East, the comedy show, Saturday Night Live, was faced with the same dilemma. They couldn’t start the show with comedy while the world was blowing up.
They chose comedian Pete Davidson to open the show. He began with a serious face, toned down energy and a sincere demeanor. He shared his story and his pain as a young boy who lost his father in the World Trade Center attack. and explained why he was the right person to give this monologue. He ended with the usual line, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night.” He said it respectfully, slowly, and without a smile. That was the transition to move into the comedy show. The audience felt respected and their reality was acknowledged.
When your organization is experiencing tragedy, trauma or bad news, plan how you will address it. And then prepare your transition remarks that will allow you to lead the audience forward.
Watch how Pete Davidson did it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqGs93VPuZw