A powerful metaphor for coaching casts it as a co-created “dance in the moment.” At some level, this analogy makes intuitive sense. Yet how much do most coaches really know and understand about dancing, let alone partnered dancing and its myriad dynamics? More importantly, how might a deeper understanding of partnered dancing dynamics unlock new frameworks and options for you, your coaching, and your clients?

In this session, Dr. Jonathan Marion leverages years of experience conducting and publishing ethnographic research on, participating in, photographing, and teaching partnered dance—including competitive ballroom, salsa, and Brazilian zouk—to unpack the ‘coaching as a dance’ metaphor for actionable coaching insights, implications, and practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Expand your understanding of the ‘coaching as a dance’ metaphor in order to facilitate better partnering with your clients.
• Develop familiarity with how good “leading” (a) offers a clear invitation and (b) attentively flows with the nuances of the responses given.
• Understand the implications of partnering theory’s distinctions between support and help for empowering your clients.