Being a leader in ballroom dancing, is like being the Quarterback of your favorite football team. The team is counting on your to develop. You are constantly busy juggling the playbook, the strategy, and the mechanics.... all while a defender is in your face.
Fortunately, the "defenders" in this game are much better looking... and don't tackle.
So what can you do to develop as a leader? Well, Mr. Quarterback, have a look at these 5 simple dance resolutions that you can add to your playbook.
5 Ballroom Dance Resolutions for Developing Leaders
What is Leading and Following?
Leading and following are the two roles in the partnership while ballroom dancing. The leader is responsible for initiating, or leading, the patterns, the timing, and changes of direction. The follower, on the other hand, is responsible for staying poised and sensitive to those movements.
Resolution #1: Be Fearless
Say this: "I will take bigger, more assertive steps in all of the ballroom dances - even if it seems to put my life, or the people around me, in danger."
As mentioned in the article "What Is Leading and Following in Ballroom Dancing", the more assertive and clear your movement, the wider range of followers you can dance with.
Resolution #2: Developing Leaders Stand Tall... or as Tall as Possible.
Say this: "I will grow a full inch through good posture on my dance lessons in 2015."
Often times new dancers don't realize that quality can come from more than just a quantity of patterns. A great example of that is in the article "31 Things Dance Judges Want To See You Do".
Resolution #3: Developing Leaders are Flexible - First Mind, Then Body
Say this: "I will not roll my eyes at the thought of moving my hips, using my arms, or doing the Waltz on my dance lessons."
Adding style to your dancing can seem very risky, but the rewards are incredible. Take an informal poll of women you know and see which ones are interested in dancing with a guy that knows how to dance with his whole body. For more on this, we recommend "The Arthur Murray Formula for Social Dancing with Style".
Resolution #4: Developing Leaders Multi-Task, or Die Trying"
Say this: "I will talk while dancing. Telling my partner the next step I am doing, however, doesn't count."
Social dancing is all built on the idea of having a conversation while dancing to great music. It makes sense on paper, but it can feel a little like juggling 3 torches, 1 chainsaw, and a puppy. For help building this skill, we recommend checking out "21 Challenges To Improve Your Social Dance Skill".
Resolution #5: Developing Leaders Fight Against the Current Comfort Zone
Say this: "I will not get overwhelmed, gripe, complain, or threaten to revert back to my former self if my body and brain don’t instantly connect with new material."
Sometimes, most times, every time - we are our own worst enemy. Sure, there are millions of guys who don't dance, and choose to justify that decision. Your journey from civilian to ballroom dancer will always be more impressive than it feels in the beginning. We recommend that you read, re-read, share, print, and tattoo "Dance Progress Explained: The Arthur Murray Curve of Learning" before you consider rejoining the world of average male civilians again.
Final Thought
It would be incredibly easy to do what the average guys do: Watch the game, hit the bar, sit on the sidelines. But not you. The moment you decided to take dance lessons you changed the game. You're a throwback: Old school charm, with new school moves.
Keep in mind, you can't develop your skills if you haven't started the process. Once you do, it is in the hope of this author, and every person you dance with, that you continue to develop your game.
Stay decisive Mr. Quarterback. The defense is counting on you.
To get started on the path to dance lessons at Arthur Murray, we recommend that you take a look at our Infographic on how to get started
