5 Lessons Startup Founders Can Learn from Salsa Dancing

Co-authored by Jackie Mahendra

You’ve been dreaming of launching something new. Perhaps you’ve already taken the plunge. Theories and coaching manuals abound on how, when and with whom to start a new company or organization with the potential to change the world or “disrupt” old ways of doing things.

Well, here are a few best practices we’ve gleaned — not just from our years working with startup leaders, lean methodologies and new organizations (and launching our own companies and social good ventures) — but from nearly a decade spent sweating away at salsa clubs.

The good news? We think getting your groove on can help you become a better, more nimble, and more successful startup leader. Here are a few “best practices” you can put into action today.

1: Stop taking lessons. Start dancing.

When you’re a new dancer, you still have to count all the steps in your head. 1-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8. Once you’ve learned the basics, however, it’s best to ditch the classes, get out on the floor, and start dancing as soon as possible.

2: Don’t stare at your feet. Look up!

Salsa dancing newbies tend to gaze down at their feet to make sure they’re not stepping on their partner’s toes. Unfortunately, that’s a really a bad idea. Not only do you lose the opportunity to actually enjoy the dance with your partner, you will likely miss a key cue that comes from being connected through your core, upper body and gaze. It turns out the feet are just one very small part of the story — and focusing only on them can make you lose site of the fuller experience.

3: Pivot quickly, but don’t forget to signal.

When you want to lead your partner to do a spin in salsa dancing, you start with a “prep” hand motion that lets them know the spin is coming. Not prepping can often lead to a surprise that ends in an awkward, rushed and haphazard turn. Or worse yet, tangled hands or limbs — decidedly not sexy.

4: Fail gracefully.

A common piece of advice you hear from folks in the startup world is “fail fast.” We agree. The trick in both startup land and salsa dancing is also to remember to fail gracefully.

Fail without skipping a beat. Keep the dance going.

5: Know your partner.

Dancing is a give and take with your partner. Whether you’re the “lead” or the “follow,” you need to be paying attention to how the other person is reacting to each move. In fact, as you gain a deeper understanding of your partner’s style, you begin dancing on a whole different level. It’s like someone switching on the lights after you’ve been stumbling around in the dark.

See you on the dance floor.

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