Last week, a colleague and I had the chance for a rare social evening out together. As we were brainstorming what we were going to do, we came across a salsa club that offered two sets of salsa lessons prior to the official club opening. So, we figured, why not?
We arrived for our lessons and proceeded to learn the basic salsa movements without a partner. Then, we got in a line and rotated partners every few minutes. It was tricky, but we kept trying to improve and move through the seemingly complex movements. From the outside, Salsa seemed pretty complicated, with a million moves and parts: a tricky dance to manage.
When I finally got my turn to partner with the instructor, as we moved our feet and bodies about, his only feedback was to “relax and feel the beat.” I didn’t realize in the moment what a powerful leadership lesson that would be.
Salsa Leadership Lesson 1: Relax and feel the beat.
There was a time when commanding, knowing all the answers and predicting and controlling was thought to be effective leadership. In our complex world, we need to sense, respond and pay attention to what is wanting to happen amidst the ambiguity and uncertainty around us. Just like in salsa, where the movements can seem complex and we must manage both ourselves and others, leaders in business need to relax a little to feel the beat around them.
In that dancing situation, I was trying so hard to follow the steps and do it right, rather than just trying to relax and flow. Once I brought my head and heart into it, rather than only my head, I was able to connect and experience more fully and effectively.
After I loosened up a bit and let myself feel the beat, my energy shifted. I wondered what was going to happen when the club opened up and the band started. What I didn’t know about salsa dancing is that it’s normal for people to rotate and dance with different people all night long.
The first person who asked me to dance happened to be an excellent salsa dancer. I had no idea I could move, dip and spin at such speeds without tripping and flying across the dance floor. As my lead partner was spinning me everywhere and I was following, I was exhilarated, laughing and joyfully learning and developing an entirely new skill.
Salsa Leadership Lesson 2: Bring others along all of the time.
The person I was dancing with was truly a master dancer. Rather than seeking out another advanced person to dance with, he brought along a brand-spanking-new beginner and literally transferred his mastery to me for five minutes. I likened it to an organizational vision or a shift in strategic direction. Master leaders must energetically and soulfully bring others along, just like master salsa dancers.
On the other hand, the next person who asked me to dance was also a regular at the club. As we started dancing, he immediately started to criticize me and tell me how far apart my basic steps were -- unlike my last partner, who gently nudged me into smaller steps back and forth. I endured the dance and still learned something, but I left the dance floor feeling like the dunce salsa dancer who didn’t meet my leader’s expectations.
The essence of this lesson is to bring others along. When we do that, we are not trying to overpower them, but we are influencing them through encouragement -- seeing them and what makes them tick. The outcome is a successful, fun dance: a dance where everyone improves and moves forward. The result might nearly be the same with both styles, but the journey is going to dictate the success and the sustainability.
Salsa Leadership Lesson 3: There is a difference between controlling and achieving results.
My work with leaders and teams often includes a 360-degree assessment. When we assess leaders and teams, many used to achieving with high-controlling tendencies ask questions about what the difference is when in a more creative state of achieving results. They often wonder how anything is going to get done if they aren’t in total control.
I liken it to my experience dancing with master salsa dancer #1 and controlling salsa dancer #2. Both had a great deal of experience, both were leaders in some shape or form, and I hadn’t miraculously changed in my abilities between partner #1 and #2.
The difference was how salsa partner #1 chose to lead. He didn’t control me, but he also didn’t let me get away with making excuses and dancing poorly because I was a beginner. He brought me along and helped us to achieve results together: in this case, a really fun, flowing dance.
In salsa, I saw this from two different types of dancers (and leaders). Both knew I didn't know how to dance. One was a bit more intense and operating with forceful energy; the other one was also giving me hints, but was more supportive -- not once did he ever criticize me, yet I was still getting coached the whole time.
To Dance And To Lead
The energy a leader brings to the table (whether in dance or business) makes an enormous difference in team, partner and human communication and what it is you’re trying to achieve together. It’s not about shying away from giving people feedback or just focusing on your personal win, but rather, it's about productive growth and a win-win for all.
Both dance and business are complex interactions of people, movement and goals. And as our world gets even more complex, viewing leadership in this conscious way creates more productive, effective and sustainable results. As leaders, we need to shift our mindsets and beliefs of what it means to lead and what is most effective as business evolves.
So, in the process of improving our abilities as leaders, if you haven’t grabbed your dancing shoes yet, it might just be time.
