Dancing Shows and Transferable Skills

Dance like everyone is watching.

It’s dancing show season. You’ll probably have noticed children engulfed in glitter spray.

I’ve been on stage since I was 2 years old, tapping and twirling, counting to 8 and doing quick changes. At the weekend I had great fun helping another generation of young people perform.

There are so many things that are reflexes now - smile for the back of the audience! Wait for your cue! Everyone double knot your ballet ribbons!

But also here are some transferable skills:

- improvisation and quick thinking - if the child is missing that performs a solo (as happened on Friday), you drop everything and run on.
- responding to your audience - whether watching a show or working with clients, you always have an eye on who you are delivering for and how it is received.
- running order - when designing meeting agendas or training sessions, attention and pacing are crucial - much like how you keep a show programme mixed and driven by energies and mood.
- timing - every dancer always has an eye on the clock / music as routines can be ruined by a timing mixup.
teamwork - I learned very young that I was the kids who knew my steps. The teacher and class relied on me to lead lines and get into semi-circles. If your colleague looks lost, you fill in the blanks.

So, next time someone offers you a ticket to a show, don’t think of the songs you have to sit through. You really are helping shape the skills of the future. A glittery future. 🩰