The months of July and August were a blur with my UNLOCK roadshow book launch events and an overseas work trip.
As I looked back at the launch events, something stood out – the role of the MC. Two colleagues MCed two events each and the run sheet was similar with minor variations based on the city and learning from prior event. I noticed how they each had a different style. Although the questions were similar for the interview part, the way they projected the questions and tried to bring out the best in me was different.
This remined me of one of my earlier blogs titled ‘Do you Salsa?’, based on my observations of a Salsa dance floor at a hotel I was staying at during a recent trip to Puerto Rico. In such dancing, the male leads and the female partner follows. I observed how talented female partners would dance beautifully with one male partner but failed to shine with another partner. Why?
No matter how talented and advanced the female dancer is, she cannot do the moves on her own, unless being led properly by the male. While the male may not appear to be doing much, compared to the hip shaking, head dropping, feet kicking moves of the female, but unless the male leads her well, she cannot shine.
Leading an organisation or team is no different. You may not look like you’re doing much, however, unless you lead well, others cannot move, shine or do their part. They can only do their part if you allow them to bring out the best in them. You may have the most capable team, but unless you have given them the right problems to solve, the right teams to lead, the right space to think, you are not leveraging your teams to their best.
Here are three areas you can focus on to bring out the best in your dance partner (team) to ensure that you get your dance card full:
- Capability: You partner (team) may not know many moves. Even if you, as the leader, are ready, the partner cannot make the move – both parties need to be ready. Build capability in your dance partner (team).
- Creativity: You may be sticking to your favourite moves or routine to reduce risk. You miss opportunities to bring out the best in your dance partner (team). Others may become bored and tired of the same routine. Look for space around you and make the most of the dance floor. You miss every shot you don’t take.
- Confidence: You may have learnt some new steps / skills but lack the confidence to execute them. You’re worried that you will miss the step or the beat and you’re watching your feet. Look up, take a deep breath and give you partner (team) the confidence that it’s going to be OK, you’ve got it under control and that it’s going be fun.
Lead the dance, bring out the best in your dance partner (team) and enjoy the dance too.
