A dance of leadership and followership
Two to
Tango
The Argentine Tango is a living language. With its own rules, etiquette and non verbal vocabulary. On the dance floor the leader responds to the music, his partner and the circulation of the other dancers. The leader indicates the steps or figures he’s inviting the follower to take by his body language. Shifting his weight. A cheeky toe-tapping-flick-kick. Talking with his shoulders.
Even bears can learn to tango
Sensuous. Sexy. Intimate. That’s the Argentine Tango. A dance of close embrace.
Improvisation. Intense connection and chemistry between two
dancers as they move in harmony. One leader. One follower.
Traditionally the leader is the man. But the roles can be
reversed. Just needs to be agreed in advance! As we live in
anything-goes times, men can tango with men. Women with women. It
may take two to tango. Who says you have to specify which
two?
You lead. I’ll
follow.The Argentine Tango is a living language. With its own rules, etiquette and non verbal vocabulary. On the dance floor the leader responds to the music, his partner and the circulation of the other dancers. The leader indicates the steps or figures he’s inviting the follower to take by his body language. Shifting his weight. A cheeky toe-tapping-flick-kick. Talking with his shoulders.
Even bears can learn to tango
In the Argentine Tango, the lead makes an invitation. Not an
order. Following a leader is voluntary. It can be resigned at
any time. Which means the follower has a choice. Leading
and following inevitably become a complex interaction. A dance
within a dance.
Sometimes the follower does something unexpected that actually works. A good leader leaves enough room for the follower to add an element of surprise and Angel Delight. A colourful twist. That's why the circle of 'leader influences follower influences leader' can lead to a rather merry dance. It may not even be crystal clear who’s actually leader of the pack and has the weapon of choice.
Blame it on the boogie
There are times when things don’t go to plan. Slightly adrift even. Poor leaders blame followers for not doing the right signalling steps. Wise leaders, rarely find the follower at fault if the dance goes wrong. Which it can. Take one inexperienced follower. Tickle the boundaries. Sure. Just a stone's throw beyond the comfort zone to a place of exhilaration and excitement so the follower has little choice but to exceed expectations and feel empowered.
When leadership and followership works in harmony the Argentine Tango is mesmerising. Truly wonderful. Hey! Isn't leading in business much the same?
Sometimes the follower does something unexpected that actually works. A good leader leaves enough room for the follower to add an element of surprise and Angel Delight. A colourful twist. That's why the circle of 'leader influences follower influences leader' can lead to a rather merry dance. It may not even be crystal clear who’s actually leader of the pack and has the weapon of choice.
Blame it on the boogie
There are times when things don’t go to plan. Slightly adrift even. Poor leaders blame followers for not doing the right signalling steps. Wise leaders, rarely find the follower at fault if the dance goes wrong. Which it can. Take one inexperienced follower. Tickle the boundaries. Sure. Just a stone's throw beyond the comfort zone to a place of exhilaration and excitement so the follower has little choice but to exceed expectations and feel empowered.
When leadership and followership works in harmony the Argentine Tango is mesmerising. Truly wonderful. Hey! Isn't leading in business much the same?
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