Learning to Lead through Learning to Dance

Last week we introduced a group of executives to the world of dance.

The session was definitely a bit of a departure from their everyday routine but as they'd already attended a variety of wellness sessions with us, they felt comfortable giving it a go.

It was an enormous success.  We'd hoped the group would be prepared to push themselves out of their comfort zone and open their minds to a new learning experience, given this is what they expect their teams to do every day, but we weren't expecting quite the level of commitment they brought with them to the class.  It was great to see.

They threw themselves into it, built on what they'd learnt from our previous sessions and used this knowledge to make rapid progress with what is a highly technical skill.

What was clear to see was that as soon as everyone had set aside any reservations around the headline concept - and the group was primarily male so there was more than a little scepticism - they were able to learn very quickly.  The attitude of 'how can I make the most of this learning opportunity' was plain to see and it created a very supportive environment where everyone grew in confidence.

Immediately a couple of leadership lessons were apparent:

1) Regularly doing what you know how to do well helps maintain confidence in your own abilities.  Embracing opportunities to step out of your comfort zone and master new skills takes your belief in your capabilities to new heights.  We never know what we're capable of until we test ourselves.

2) Shared learning experiences are extremely powerful.  Teaching others concepts you are familiar with is an important element of leadership, but the opportunity to learn something new while at the same time coaching others in the same new skill proved a great way to encourage people to think deeply about their strategies, actions and communication skills.

The other striking thing about the session was how much everyone enjoyed it.  Being a manager or a leader can be a lonely business and often things are serious.  Initiatives like this where there is a serious message approached from a fun and creative angle can be invaluable in adding new dimensions to how people feel and how they perform.

Image by Flickr: jeff medaugh