Lizzo has released a new version of her song, “Grrrls,” in which she has removed the line that sparked controversy about the song’s lyrics being “ableist.”
It now reads, “Hold me back,” instead. Before, there was a slur that was believed to have originated from the word “spastic.”
According to the Collins Dictionary, a spastic person is someone who is born with a condition that makes it challenging for them to control their muscles, particularly in their arms and legs. It continues by stating that “most people now refer to someone with this handicap as having cerebral palsy” because the name has a negative (read: derogatory) connotation.
Disability advocates have branded the American singer “ableist,” or someone who might potentially discriminate against persons with disabilities and/or individuals who are considered to be disabled, as a result of her use of the disparaging term in the song’s original lyrics.
Since then, Lizzo has issued a written public apology. She posted on social media, saying: “I’ve been made aware that my new song, Grrrls, contains a hazardous word. Let me be clear about one thing: I never wish to encourage offensive language. I am an obese black woman in America who has experienced a lot of nasty remarks being directed at her, so I am aware of the power that words can wield (intentionally or, as in my case, unwittingly).
Also: Anthony Joshua Makes an Apology Statement Regarding His Behaviour Following His Defeat by Usyk.
What Workplace Leaders Can Learn from Lizzo’s Apology
After receiving criticism from fans for using the derogatory term “spaz” in the song’s original version, recording artist Lizzo released a revised version of “Girls” in the middle of June. Fans readily forgave her once she apologized and revealed the revised version, demonstrating the value of humility, accountability, and ongoing learning.
One of the most crucial traits for people leaders is the capacity to learn from mistakes and move on, as Katie Burke, chief people officer at HubSpot, recently stated at EmTech Next, a conference organized by Charter and MIT Technology Review.
She remarked, “I do think all of us have an obligation as leaders to stay curious.” If you approach things with empathy and inquiry, you can never go wrong. Although it occurred outside of the typical workplace, Lizzo’s admission of guilt can serve as an example for corporate leaders on how to accept responsibility. Here are her mistakes and how others can take inspiration from her apology.
Fast Is Preferable to Excellent.
Just three days after the first version of “Grrrls” was released on June 10th, Lizzo announced her apologies on Twitter and Instagram and released the re-recorded song. Her quick response has been appreciated.
It’s customary for leaders to delay taking action to repair the damage after a dispute to gather more information or polish their statements. Professor of management at the Wharton School of Business and author of Friend and Foe Maurice Schweitzer argues that “many executives want to get to the bottom of things to figure out what really happened.” Speed, however, conveys humility and regret in a way that a highly careful apology given later cannot.
Schweitzer cites United Airlines as an illustration, which was reluctant to acknowledge misconduct after videos of security personnel forcibly removing a passenger surfaced online in 2017.
Multiple later apologies to a disgruntled public were part of the botched response that followed. This action contrasts with Southwest Airlines’ subsequent response to a tragic incident at Chicago Midway Airport in 2005. The CEO apologized publicly almost immediately, prompting headlines like “Southwest response dubbed fast, kind.”
Take Ownership of Your Actions without Reservation.
Hit songs in modern pop music are frequently co-written, and the song “Grrrls” has no fewer than eight writers listed as contributors. Lizzo apologized, but she made it seem like she was the only one who made the error.
Taking responsibility doesn’t just help you mend broken relationships. According to a 2015 study that looked at 150 corporate news releases over a 15-year span, it can also be advantageous for a company.
The authors discovered that companies that put the blame for their failures on factors outside of their control frequently experienced a prolonged financial decline, whereas those that took responsibility saw their earnings stabilize and recover. This is probably because they were more easily able to gain investor trust and change their strategies.
Maintain a learning posture.
After fans voiced their worries, Lizzo said in her post that the apology was “the outcome of [her] listening and learning.” This approach toward learning isn’t the same as people-pleasing, as HubSpot’s Burke noted at EmTech Next; rather, it’s about maintaining an open mind and listening with empathy when challenged about a potential error.
Burke gave an example of how she replies in such conversations: “Talk to me about why…
Let’s analyze what we can take out from it, keeping in mind that I won’t necessarily try to make you content or happy here, but I will listen intently to what you have to say about how I may have done better.
Take Action to Rectify the Damage.
Most significantly, Lizzo’s words were followed by deeds: Her decision to re-release her song sans the problematic lyrics showed that she was not only prepared to acknowledge her error but also to make it right.
As noted by Schweitzer, an effective apology conveys remorse as well as a determination to change, particularly when such transformation entails a personal cost. He said that redoing the song “is obviously a costly move that needs time and money.”
You can show that you have prioritized their issues by “paying the price.” You are concerned with their feelings. The potential to mend relationships and regain trust is the actual power of an apology, both for managers and for the public people.