My Experience at So You Think You Can LEAD

Leadership is a concept that is talked about around the world daily, in classroom settings, job interviews and among world leaders. Executives are always trying to find new and innovative ways to teach leadership and teamwork within their corporations. Because of my involvement in Bruin Belles, I was given the opportunity to participate in an innovative leadership workshop called ‘So You Think You Can Lead.’ This three hour leadership seminar focused on dance, and how dancing can teach one things about leadership and teamwork. 

At first, I was skeptical because, in my experience, dancing is more about trying not to embarrassing myself and remembering steps, but this was different. Dr. Edy Greenblatt, who travels the country putting on leadership conferences, organized a group of about 10 professional dancers called the ‘Leaping Leaders’ to help teach us how leadership and dancing are correlated. The second we walked into the room we were ushered into a conga line sort of dance, following one another in circles around the room. From then on, it was non stop: either we were watching dancing videos on a powerpoint, or were watching the Leaping Leaders and participating. 

After each dance that we watched or performed, the group would analyze and discuss questions such what was the dynamic in that dance and who the leader and followers were. This was not a boring leadership seminar, but an interactive workshop in which we were participants and were able to come to our own conclusions about what leadership means to us and how to practice that in our daily lives. I learned how important it is to work together and trust one another within a leadership setting. It is important to establish what type of leadership style is being used and what the roles of each person should be within a group in order for projects to be done efficiently. This concept was shown through dance, and how both dancers ‘push and pull’ off of one another and each knows there role. Normally, only big companies and corporations would host something like this, so being able to experience this type of environment and interacting with professionals in the workplace while discussing the role of leadership, was definitely something that is once in a lifetime. 

Lauren Hastings

First Year Belle