Creating a Culture of Joy (That Is Not Fake Happy)
Outside of our music and dance goals, one of the biggest focuses for Pop Nation is fostering a culture of inspiration and joy – not just in theory, but in practice. A performance environment like Pop Nation Adult can sometimes feel like a high school flashback, and some of that is wonderful. Performing in a group, feeling that sense of belonging, and celebrating each other’s artistry is one of the best parts of what we do. The competitive aspect, however, can bring up past insecurities, and that’s where we have to be mindful and accountable to ourselves.
Like any team activity, our performing arts work is a group effort. Competition is naturally in the mix in various ways – between individual performers, between colour teams, and between songs. As a group, there are times we cheer louder and show more visible support for some performers or teams while unintentionally overlooking others. I’ve also observed moments of competition that become unproductive or divisive, and that does not serve our community.
This is where intentional joy comes in. Research has shown that workplaces, organizations, and teams that prioritize joy as part of their culture experience stronger collaboration, higher engagement, and better overall performance. A positive, inclusive atmosphere fosters creativity and motivation, while negativity and exclusion erode trust and weaken the collective experience. Teams that cultivate a sense of joy and support see improved morale, a greater sense of purpose, and a stronger connection between their members. In short, when we intentionally focus on uplifting each other, we all perform better – individually and as a group.
That means we need to continually take moments for self-reflection. Are we showing up as our best and most supportive selves? Or are we allowing comparison, insecurity, or scarcity mindset to take over? The idea that someone else’s success somehow diminishes our own is a dangerous one. Just because another performer has a front-row spot or a solo does not mean that they were handed anything— more often than not, it’s the result of years of dedication, hard work, and skill-building. It is okay to be at the beginning of your learning journey. We learn by doing, and we all have to start somewhere; that growth process is admirable work. When I talk about meritocracy, I am being clear about expectations, and also mean to distinguish it from favouritism. As my good friend Sarah Willett taught me, “clear is kind.” And the truth is, dismissing someone’s achievements as favouritism rather than acknowledging the effort behind them is not only unfair – it’s damaging to our collective spirit.
Every person involved in this group matters, whether they are singing a solo or dancing their heart out in the back row. There is no small role in what we do – every single voice, movement, and presence contributes to the energy and success of the performance. Some of the most powerful moments on stage come from a collective effort, and no one person’s contribution is more valuable than another’s – including those of us on the leadership team.
One of the best things we can do for ourselves as participants is to assess our own mindsets and shift from being negatively competitive to inspirationally competitive. Let others’ success motivate you – ask yourself what you can learn from them. The performing arts are already demanding enough without us making it harder for one another. Let’s be a group where everyone – regardless of their role, experience, or background – feels valued, supported, and celebrated. Let’s cheer each other on, lift each other up, and create a space where success is shared.
Negative competitive behaviours often stem from a place of feeling unseen. I recognize that many people look to me and our team for validation, and I want to acknowledge that we can do better in ensuring everyone feels seen and valued. There are countless times I notice significant improvements – whether vocally, choreographically, or in overall confidence – but I don’t always take the time to express it. Behind the scenes, our team frequently remarks on individual growth, saying things like, “Did you see how much so-and-so has stepped up?” But those moments of recognition don’t always make their way back to the people who deserve to hear them. Moving forward, we will be more intentional about sharing that encouragement openly.
One of the boundaries I am setting for my own well-being is that I will not justify my soloist selections, and I will not ask our team to justify their choreography placements. As the leaders, we are entrusted with making decisions that serve the performance as a whole. I hope you trust that we approach these choices thoughtfully and strive to distribute opportunities fairly. Our choreographers put immense effort into designing staging that ensures every performer has moments to shine, and we consistently consider things from the participant’s perspective. While we may not always get it exactly right, we are committed to making fair and intentional creative decisions.
While we cannot please everyone, we can foster an environment where hard work is recognized at every level, talent is celebrated, and success is seen as inspirational.
As a woman with lots of experience in various corporate environments and performing arts companies, I have participated in negative competitive environments, and I do not want that energy in this space. I want a feeling of collaboration and joy. Why are we spending Monday nights together if not to have fun? In the spirit of complete authenticity, this does not mean you don’t get to feel frustration, disappointment, or annoyance – those are natural responses in situations where you are pushing yourself to grow – you can feel those feelings and lift others up, using coping strategies for the rehearsal room so that you are showing up with the most productive energy possible. Sometimes, that means showing up neutral. Then, call a friend on the way home and vent it out, or gather with your buddies for drinks and talk through it. It would be unreasonable to believe that everyone will be best friends, but you will find your crew inside our walls, and all I ask is that you lead with kindness and look for joy.
By being intentional about joy – by celebrating each other’s wins, treating competition as inspiration rather than rivalry, and recognizing that everyone contributes to the success of the group – we can create an environment that is not just artistically rewarding but also emotionally fulfilling. Let’s make this space one where people want to show up, grow, and thrive.
Need support putting this into practice? Try out one of these at our next rehearsal:
- Be intentional about offering compliments to your fellow performers. This is challenging work and it’s motivating to be told that people notice your precision, energy, excellence, etc.
- Take three slow deep breaths before you walk in the room and do your best to send negative or stressful energy out with the air. We all have full lives packed with complexity. You deserve three hours to sing and dance joyfully. It’s okay to tap out of the stress of the day for a bit (easier said than done, but putting intention behind it helps).
- Introduce yourself and have a short conversation with someone you’ve not yet met. With 150 members in our adult group there is always a new friend to meet. Research shows your body releases endorphins during positive social contact, similar to the physical response after a hard workout, which gives a boost of happiness, while reducing stress.
All this to say, this does not mean I don’t want constructive feedback. It does mean the feedback needs to be mindful and worded kindly. You are welcome to engage in a conversation with me privately anytime by email.
Amanda Kind
Artistic Director
