"Practicing Leadership through Tango"
a lecture proposal with demonstrations

by Igor Polk
http://www.virtuar.com/tango/tango_resume.htm

A lecture on Leadership on example of Tango dancing

By Igor Polk, June 2013

Tango dance is a unique recreational activity which puts in its basis a game between so called "a Leader and a Follower". More than anything else, tangueros practice these skills which are effectively the two sides of the same coin. Igor Polk is among the best tango dancers dancing and teaching in San Francisco Bay Area for 12 years. He conveys you what is "leading" in terms of tango dance. Analogies and the view from another, artistic side can benefit leaders of industry. The lecture is presented with active participation of listeners. They can experience a rare opportunity to practice key personal skills directly related to leadership in a friendly undemanding atmosphere. An exemplary dance might be present.

Here is the plan of the lecture.

1. What does it mean to be a good leader in dancing? How it manifests itself? Here is how. When a good leader appears in the room, all followers are looking at him asking in their eyes: "Lead me ! Lead me !"

2. The ritual of invitation is initiated by a follower. It is legitimization of granting of power of leadership. Initial attunement: to each other, to music. Establishing a contact. Conversation between dancers. Piropo - graceful separation after dancing.

3. Establishing connection and maintaining it: Leader and Follower roles.
What does it mean to lead dancers who a) know how to follow; b) do not know how to follow.

4. Being a leader means to be a good follower: A Leader follows his followers. Following: being yourself, alertness, proactiveness, reaction, skill.

5. Confidence for Leader and Follower.

6. Timing: rhythm and structure of events.

7. Dancing together: being with a partner, respecting each others balance, being interesting.

8. "Go for it!". Events which do develop.

9. Leading: Do not interfere!

10. A leader is not pushing or pulling a follower into a figure, he is Taking Her into there..."Leading into".

11. Three types of followers and an experienced leader's strategy to deal with them:
a) Going too fast, not listening; "Put them under control, go with them"
b) Going too slow, not understanding the lead; "Push them, take them with you, use their natural habits"
c) Perfect; "Enjoy dancing with them"

12. Three types of leaders:
a) Rushing, pushing, pulling, not in rhythm, nervous, demanding;
b) Too slow, not clear, "absent", not in rhythm, insensitive;
c) Perfect.

13. What should a follower feel in the hands of a good leader.

14. With whom a leader wants to dance most?

15. Leading is "making a dance". Components of a successful dance.

16. Navigate your couple (group) among others. What does it mean to dance along with other couples on the same dance floor.

17 Responsibilities of a DJ and organizers to make a party successful.

18 Yes, it is possible to develop leadership skills.