Dancers make great leaders because our craft inherently nurtures essential leadership qualities.

I’ve been reflecting recently about what it is that makes young dancers turn into phenomenal adults. And why so many of my dance friends and former students are super successful in their lives & work. The common denominator is dance!

So now I’m trying to put into words how dance helps your child grow from a little person bouncing around in a tutu into an adult capable of anything.

When your child is little you put them ballet so they have fun, can wear a pretty tutu and maybe go grab a coffee in silence. But what you’re actually doing is putting them in leadership bootcamp! In a confidence building and excellent hobby that will see them turn into amazing adults.

So why do dancers easily transition into excellent leaders?

 

Dancers are:

 

  • Resilient and adaptable. Dance requires resilience and adaptability to handle challenges, setbacks, and changes in routines or environments. And these qualities are invaluable for leaders navigating complex and dynamic situations in life and the workplace.

 

  • Creative! Dancers constantly innovate and explore new ways of expressing themselves through movement. So, this creativity enables them to think outside the box, problem-solve creatively, and inspire innovation in leadership roles.

 

  • The most disciplined and dedicated people you’ll ever meet. The rigorous training and discipline inherent in dance cultivate strong work ethics and dedication. Dancers (even little ones!) understand the importance of consistent practice, hard work, and commitment, which are vital traits for effective leadership.

 

  • Effective communicators. Dancers learn to communicate non-verbally through movement, which translates into powerful communication skills in leadership roles.

 

  • Empathetic and highly emotionally intelligent. Dancers often convey emotions and tell stories through their performances, requiring a deep understanding of human emotions. This fosters empathy and emotional intelligence, enabling dancers to connect with others on a profound level, a crucial aspect of excellent leadership.

 

  • Great collaborators. In dance, collaboration is essential for successful performances. Dancers understand the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and synergy, making them adept at fostering collaboration in leadership contexts.

 

  • Flexible (not just their bodies but their minds). They are adaptable to change. Dance routines often evolve, requiring dancers to adapt to changes quickly. This adaptability to change is a valuable skill in leadership roles, especially in dynamic and uncertain environments.

 

  • Are confident and have presence! Dancers develop confidence and stage presence through performing in front of audiences. This confidence translates into strong leadership presence, enabling them to inspire and motivate others effectively.

 

When you put your child into dance classes, you are giving them a unique blend of qualities including communication skills, collaboration, resilience, creativity, discipline, empathy, adaptability, confidence, and presence, which equip them to excel as leaders in this world.