Learning to Lead from Experienced Followers (Dancing & Leadership)

On the dance floor, just like in business, there is often a discrepancy of skill and knowledge between the individuals. Even in few minute long dances, such differences can make a positive or negative difference to the overall experience.

Sometimes the leader knows more “moves”, but leading skills are still developing. Sometimes the follower has more knowledge. And sometimes, follower may have more leadership experience but within that moment, it’s not his or her role.

The simplest example of the latter is when I take dance lessons. In private instruction, I know my instructor, dancing the follower part, know more than I do. So there is no ego if or when she makes suggestions or observe what or how I am doing the moves as we jointly explore ways to improve. Often, I’ld ask her to do the lead part so I can explore the follower’s role, which is when many things click. This interactive coaching style is much more helpful than textbook instructions on technique by the way.

Out at a dance floor, or in “the real world”, it is more ambiguous. I don’t know, but can often sense quickly, if our levels are on par as well as our styles (East Coast and Lindy has different basic steps). This means I need to have a feedback loop, both physical and verbal, to see how we are doing and what all we can do.

An easy feedback is if it feels right and in step, if connection is maintained vs stepping on each others shoes, kicking the shins, or spinning out into others instead of maintaining balance. An even easier (if your partner is willing) feedback approach is asking how it feels. I got many good tips on not only how to lead in general but how to lead in specific given personal dynamics by simply talking through things. Of course there is also the fun times when we step away from the main stage to figure just how that one move worked. Joint learning and exploring is fun.

Being new in lead roles can be uncomfortable and leading more experienced could be people even more so. It is easier however when we start with a mutual goal and everyone can learn whether through leading, following, or the joint feedback loops. Without such continuous learning, i’ld be bored 🙂

Cheers