Three Communication Lessons from Britney Spears

For more than a decade, the public has wondered how Britney Spears felt about her conservatorship. Fans have inferred meaning from Britney’s instagram posts and the documentary Framing Britney Spears reignited the debate about who Britney is and what she wants.

But for more than 13 years, Britney has remained quiet. 

She wasn’t out of the public eye – far from it. She had a hugely successful Vegas residency and has raked in millions of dollars. All while being under a limiting conservatorship managed by her father, Jamie Spears.

Well, on June 23, Britney finally had her turn to speak.

And she had a lot to say.

In 24 minutes of testimony to a judge, Britney told the world how she felt. 

The takeaways? She’s hurt, she’s angry, and she’s had enough.

Her testimony also shows us the power of communication, as Britney’s statement and choice of words painted a picture that we had not seen from her before. And the outcry of support Britney has received since shows the power of effective communication. 

Here are three important communication lessons from Britney’s statement.

1. Be authentic and honest

The Britney we heard on the audio clip is the Britney we remember from the 1990s and early 2000s. Her tone was conversational and informal, peppered with her good Southern manners (‘Thank you, I’m sorry, and Ma’am’) as well as the occasional frustrated expletive.

She was funny and disarming at times, and vulnerable throughout as she confessed that she lied when she told the whole world “I’m OK and I’m happy.” 

It was heartbreaking to hear her say that she felt like she didn’t matter, that no one would believe her if she spoke out, and that people would “make fun” or “laugh” at her and say, “She’s lying, she’s got everything, she’s Britney Spears.”

2. Use clear messages – and repeat them

Britney’s message in her statement was clear: she wants her conservatorship to end. She repeated this several times throughout her statement and made it clear.

She reminded the court that she has been under this conservatorship for 13 years, and how it has limited her freedom and caused her tremendous pain. And throughout this time, she has worked and financially supported dozens of people – while having no control over her own money or body. 

She expressed that she’s done enough. She wants changes – and explained why she deserves changes.

3. Use details, metaphors, and stories to illustrate your point

Britney backed up her requests with details, evidence and logical arguments. She explained how she has “roofed and fed tons of people on tour on the road” while being under the conservatorship. She didn’t understand how the state could “sit back and literally watch me make a living for so many people, and pay so many people – trucks and buses on the road – and be told I’m not good enough.”

She used similes and metaphors that added depth to her words, like when she said her refusal to do a dance move was treated as if she “planted a huge bomb somewhere” and how she felt like “200 pounds” were lifted off of her when she was told she didn’t have to do the Vegas show anymore.

Her request to have therapy in her home felt reasonable as she described the ordeal of having to see a therapist (as ordered under her conservatorship) in an area that is frequented by the paparazzi. She told the story of leaving a session to find the “scummy paparazzi laughing” at her and trying to take her picture while she was crying. 

She illustrated how the conservatorship not only controls her money – but also her independence. She spoke of being taken off her regular medication and the negative effects she had after being forced to take lithium. And one of the most shocking allegations was that she is unable to have an IUD removed from her body – illustrating the power the conservatorship has over her – even at age 39.

Although there were times Britney rambled or veered off track, her testimony was authentic and heartfelt, her messages to the court were clear, and they were backed up with evidence and details that explained the rationale for her requests.

Whether or not her requests are granted remains to be determined – but after so many years, Britney finally had the opportunity to speak.

And the world was listening.

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