Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organized. 
- Terry Pratchett
Sinner Saint Burlesque has a tradition that we perform before every show. We call it the “merde.” Every performer, at one time or another, has been on stage when something has gone terribly wrong. Your wig falls off, your jewelry gets caught in your stockings, the music starts to skip, you slip and fall, etc. Something happens that makes you want to yell “Shit! Shit! Shit!” 

We have our merde ritual in order to get those ‘shits’ out preemptively so that everything will go smoothly on stage. Merde is the French word for ‘shit’. Before every show, instead of saying ‘good luck,’ we gather together and shout Merde!
As live performing artists, we know it is extremely rare that everything goes exactly as you planned it. No matter how many times you’ve rehearsed an act, something new will happen each and every time. Emergence is when something new arises as a result of interacting with or being in relationship with something else. On stage, you are interacting with a live audience, the music, the lights, the environment, the air quality, what you had for lunch that day, performers around you…there are thousands of elements that could influence your performance. 

There are five characteristics of emergence that scientists generally agree on according to Peggy Holman, author of Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity. These include:
  • Radical novelty - When emergence ensues, brand new things appear.
  • Coherence - There is still some stability and order. Despite the chaos, you won't suddenly turn into an elephant. You'll still be you. 
  • Wholeness - Regardless of a change, the whole is still more than the sum of its parts.
  • Dynamic - Emergence is always a process and continues to help us evolve. 
  • Downward causation - A system still shapes the behavior of the parts (for example: roads, city infrastructure, still determine where we drive our cars). 
An agile performer is able to engage with emergence, and use the elements around her to enhance a performance – to turn an ‘oops’ into an opportunity. Most of my greatest breakthroughs and most brilliant innovations have been the result of an accident or unexpected event. This requires confidence, to embark into the unknown.

Great leaders know how to navigate the turbulent seas of surprise and uncertainty. Today we'll practice tips for how to go with the flow and thrive through adversity, instead of yelling "shit shit shit!" You can embark into the unknown. You can thrive despite your original plans going astray. You are designed for grace. Go out there, take risks, get messy, and engage some emergence! 
Today, reflect on a time when a surprise emerged that greatly benefited you, and a time a surprise emerged that caused more harm that good. What was the  major difference between the two outcomes? How did your response influence the outcomes? 

Then, apply one of the tips below to your day and practice receiving the magic of emergence. 
  • Approach with curiosity. When faced with an unexpected situation, pause, breath, see if you can shift yourself emotions to feel curious rather than frustrated or annoyed. Just yell, “plot twist!” Then open yourself up to what gift might be waiting for you on the other side of chaos. 
  • Connect to your intentions and purpose. Identify what is most important to you in the moment based on your initial intentions and current situation. Is it most important for you to finish your act with a smile, or warn someone that your boa just caught on fire? Anchor in to what is most important to you in the moment to help guide your next steps. 
  • Practice chaos. Life changes ALL THE TIME. You, just by being human, are wired to adapt to change. You are designed to engage emergence. The more you practice breathing, approaching with curiosity, and identifying what is most important to you when dealing with the small disruptions, the better you will be at managing the big ones. Notice small disruptions, a tree branch in your way on the sidewalk, the barista getting your coffee order wrong, a chance encounter with a friend.
  • Follow the path of least resistance. Where is energy, attention, and ease naturally flowing? Name that direction and see what happens when you surrender to the natural flow of events. 
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What is your ritual to help you go with the flow and engage emergence? Post it in the Burlesque for the Boardroom Facebook community. 

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Want all the lessons to practice year round? Order the Burlesque for the Boardroom Workbook!
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The Workbook includes: 
  • 20+ lessons designed to build your confidence and influence. 
  • 200+ reflections and practice activities to hone your skills (that's four times more!)
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The Playshop...Choose your location, call up 10 of your best girl friends, pop some bubbly and get ready for a sexy celebration like no other. You'll learn: 
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  • How to rewrite your relationship with pleasure.
  • How to own your space like a boss performer. 
You'll also receive:
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  • BONUS - 30 minute follow up call with each participant to help them integrate their fullest, sexiest, most successful self.
You'll have a personal kick ass sound track to fire you up. Your tribe of women (the ones who really get you) will be there to help support you whenever you are stuck or in need of sisterly love. 

And the best part? The best part is that you aren't just doing this for you. You're doing this for you mother and grandmother; your children, nieces and cousins; your coworkers, neighbors, bosses and teams. You're doing it for all women and declaring a new legacy for women and leadership. You're doing it to insist on celebrating the feminine and all its (your) glory. 

And don't forget all the other FREE goodies...
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