Success at work requires precision, energy, expression and adaptability – just like mastering different dance styles. Karl Green shares lessons from the stage to help you perform at your best
Some of our most powerful lessons about workplace success come from unexpected places. As someone from a performance background of over a decade, who pivoted career from dance and musical theatre to coaching and development, one of my favourite analogies is how different dances mirror various approaches to work and life. Just as dancers must master different techniques and adapt their performances, we too must develop versatility in our professional lives.
Sometimes we need the precision of tap, other times the spontaneity of hip hop, the emotional intelligence of lyrical or the adaptability of jazz
Breaking down complex challenges
Let’s start with tap dance, which teaches us the value of precision and methodical progression. Like tap dancers who break down complex sequences into manageable steps, successful professionals need to approach challenging projects systematically.
I’ve seen teams transform their productivity by adopting the tap dancer’s mindset: tackling complex problems by dissecting them into smaller, manageable components. It’s about building a foundation of excellence through careful attention to detail.
Embracing change and innovation
Hip hop brings us a completely different but equally valuable lesson. In my coaching sessions, I often reference hip hop’s emphasis on energy, spontaneity and collaboration. Hip hop dancers thrive in dynamic environments where quick adaptation is key.
I’ve watched teams embrace this spirit when facing rapid changes in their industry – staying agile, thinking on their feet and finding innovative solutions to unexpected challenges. The hip hop approach teaches us to be bold, direct and results-driven while maintaining strong team connections.
The power of authentic expression
Then there’s lyrical dance, which reminds us of something often overlooked in business: the power of emotional intelligence and personal expression. Lyrical dancers bring their unique interpretation to each performance, just as each team member brings their individual perspective to projects.
I encourage professionals to embrace this lyrical quality by finding their authentic voice and bringing their whole selves to work. Some of the most successful teams I’ve coached have excelled precisely because they created space for individual expression while maintaining group harmony.
Flexibility in the workplace
Jazz dance offers perhaps the most relevant lesson for today’s fast-paced business environment. It’s characterised by its adaptability and dynamic energy – qualities essential for modern workplace success.
Like jazz dancers who seamlessly switch between different styles and tempos, today’s professionals must be prepared to pivot between various roles and responsibilities. I’ve seen this jazz-like adaptability help teams thrive during organisational changes and market shifts.
But here’s what’s fascinating: just as a dance company needs performers with different styles and strengths, successful teams need diversity in their working styles. I often tell my clients that the goal isn’t to master just one approach, but to build a repertoire of skills that can be called upon as situations demand. Sometimes we need the precision of tap, other times the spontaneity of hip hop, the emotional intelligence of lyrical or the adaptability of jazz.
Practice, resilience and growth
The most important lesson I’ve learnt from dance is about the power of practice and resilience. As the saying goes: ‘The rougher the dancer’s feet, the better the performance’. Every dancer knows that excellence comes through challenging practice sessions and occasional missteps. Similarly, our professional growth often comes through facing and overcoming difficulties. I’ve seen this countless times – teams that have weathered tough projects together emerge stronger and more capable.
What makes this approach so powerful is its emphasis on continuous learning and adaptation. Just as dancers never stop training and refining their craft, successful professionals must commit to ongoing development. I encourage clients to regularly step out of their comfort zones and try new approaches, just as dancers must master new styles and techniques.
The beauty of this dance-inspired approach to professional development lies in its universality. Whether you’re leading a team, working on a complex project or navigating career transitions, these principles apply. It’s about finding the right rhythm between structure and flexibility, individual expression and team co-ordination, technical precision and creative innovation.
As we face the challenges of worklife, perhaps we should all think a little more like dancers – staying light on our feet, ready to adapt our style as needed, while maintaining our core strength and balance. After all, success in both dance and business comes down to the same fundamental elements: practice, adaptability, collaboration and the courage to perform when the spotlight shines on us.
In my experience, those who embrace these diverse approaches, much like versatile dancers, are best equipped to navigate the complex choreography of modern professional life. They understand that sometimes we need to tap our way through with precision, hip hop our way through with energy, express ourselves lyrically or jazz it up with adaptability. The key is knowing which approach the moment calls for and having the confidence to perform accordingly.
Karl Green is a performance and wellness coach at Wishfish Coaching & Development and Secrets from a Coach
