Do You Tango? Distinguishing the Dance of Leadership

Finding the balance between guiding and being guided

A dimly lit dance hall, the air buzzing with anticipation, and me, standing there, heart pounding with excitement and a dash of fear.

Why?

Because I’ve finally taken the plunge into the world of Tango.

That’s right, this year, I declared it my ‘Year of Courage’, and what better way to kick it off than to dive into the intricate, passionate world of Tango dancing?

Yesterday marked my first try at this mesmerizing dance, and boy, did it teach me more than just steps and movements.

It became a vivid metaphor for leadership, a parallel so striking that it left me pondering long after the music stopped.

Let’s start with the basics — in Tango, as in leadership, you must learn to walk before you can dance. This might sound trivial, but it’s a profound lesson.

Walking in Tango is not just moving your feet; it’s a whole new way of moving through space, with purpose and intention. Similarly, in leadership, it’s not just about taking action but moving with intention toward a goal, and understanding the impact of every step.

But here’s the kicker: as soon as I started, my inner critic was having a field day. “You’re too fat for this, not stylish enough, not getting it right.” Sound familiar? It’s the same voice that haunts us in leadership roles. We constantly judge ourselves, doubting our decisions, our appearance, and our right to lead. The first lesson of Tango, thus, mirrors leadership—acknowledging the inner critic and moving forward with confidence.

Next comes the rhythm. In Tango, you’re advised to feel the music and let it guide you. My analytical brain, however, was screaming, “Count, for heaven’s sake! Don’t mess this up!” It’s a laughable yet accurate parallel to leadership. We’re often torn between following our instincts and sticking to the ‘proven’ methods, the metrics, the countable, and the tangible. But true leadership, like Tango, flourishes when we learn to trust the rhythm, the unseen forces that guide our teams and businesses.

Then, the patterns and steps. Oh, the relief of having a structure! This is where my analytical mind took a breather. Following set patterns in Tango gave me a sense of security, much like relying on established processes and strategies in leadership. But here’s the twist — both in Tango and leadership, reliance on patterns alone is a double-edged sword. It provides comfort, yes, but can also trap you in predictability, stifling creativity.

And finally, the moment of relaxation. When I acknowledged it was my first day and that I was doing fine, a sense of calm washed over me. In leadership, this translates to giving yourself grace. Accepting that you’re on a learning curve, celebrating the small wins, and understanding that leadership, like Tango, is a journey.

Now, let’s address — the dance of leadership itself. If you think leadership is a straight path to success, think again. It’s a Tango — intricate, varied, and sometimes downright confusing. It involves leading and following simultaneously. Yes, you lead your team, but you also follow their cues, their needs, and the market’s rhythm. It’s about finding that balance, that perfect tension between guiding and being guided.

Moreover, leadership, much like Tango, is not a solo performance. It’s about partnership, about understanding and responding to your partner’s (or team’s) movements. It’s about trust, communication without words, and moving in sync towards a common goal. It’s a dance that requires both parties to be fully present, engaged, and willing to adapt.

And let’s not forget the multi-directional nature of this dance. In Tango, you move forward, sideways, sometimes even backward. Similarly, leadership takes you in multiple directions — forward with growth, sideways with new opportunities, and yes, occasionally backward with setbacks. The key is to keep dancing, to keep leading with passion and adaptability.

Tango is not just a dance; it’s a metaphor for life, a powerful analogy for leadership. It teaches us about balance, about the ebb and flow of leading and following, about embracing the rhythm of our roles. So, to all the aspiring leaders out there, I pose this question: Do you Tango? Because if you can learn to dance this intricate, passionate dance, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of leadership. Keep dancing, keep leading, and let the music guide you through the thrilling, unpredictable, exhilarating dance of leadership.

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