Square Dancing, Funnel Cakes, and Leadership

Nearly three decades ago, I decided to transfer to Belmont University in Nashville, Tn. Little did I know that I would sit next to my future best friend, MaryAnn, on the first day of transfer student orientation. We found ourselves laughing about something that no one else found funny, and it became a lifelong bond.

Our friendship included a standing invitation to visit her family each summer. They lived in a small, rural Tennessee town called Smithville. I quickly learned that the best weekend to visit was the 4th of July, when her community was transformed into a bluegrass destination for people across the southeast.

I spent my first Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree in awe. I felt like we had left the country; the accents were different, the costumes were unique, who knew you could deep fry anything, and what in the world was buck dancing, Appalachian folk singing, and clogging? I, along with thousands of visitors, spent two days sitting in front of a stage in the town square, taking it all in. I was mesmerized.

Each summer, I return for this cross-cultural experience. While I enjoy all the categories, square dancing is something special. I assume you, like me, may not have spent much time in the square dancing world. Let me educate you; this is different from what we did in elementary school PE. This is a 4-minute aerobic workout for elite competitors, complete with EMT employees standing stage right, ready to assist any dancers who pass out. This type of square dancing requires fitness, procession, and teamwork.

MaryAnn had no training in square dancing, but each year, her love for the craft grew. Eventually, she started taking lessons, talking with experts in the field, and she will be the first to admit she watched countless YouTube videos in an effort to learn as much as possible.

A decade ago, Smithville had no square dancing teams, so MaryAnn started a team. She is now coaching four teams, and this year I got to witness something amazing.

One of her teams took first place in the youth square dancing category. They were also invited to perform on the biggest stage in Tennessee, the Grand Ole Opry! As I witnessed this moment, I thought about how rare it was for someone without formal training to start something from nothing and then lead a team to the Grand Ole Opry.

How did this happen?

I noticed three things, and they apply to any industry. It’s a framework for leadership and high-performing teams. However, I never imagined I would learn this at a bluegrass festival with a funnel cake in my hands!

First, MaryAnn was aware that she loved something. In fact, she loved it so much that she had to share it with others. She loved square dancing, so she started a team – a community – so others could enjoy it too.

Second, she loves the young people on her team. As a result, her team members love each other too. This is not to be overlooked. On my last visit, I spent a good amount of time with the winning team. Getting eight high school students to genuinely care for each other is no small task! Their coach modeled care and concern for the individuals on the team, and they replicated her behavior.

And lastly, as a coach, she loves the process of improving, of working hard at a craft, and that devotion is also embraced by her team. This team is committed to elevating their performance because they see that desire in their leader.   

This a simple framework for leadership and high-performing teams, and it can be put into practice; love something so much that you have to share it with others, love your people, and love the process of improving.

For example, if you want to open a flower shop, love flowers so much that you can’t resist sharing flowers with others, love your customers, and love the process of elevating your floral designs.

Or, if you want to create a travel blog, love travel so much that you can’t help but share your stories with the world, love those who read your posts, and love the process of developing great stories.

It really is this simple; love the thing, love your people, and love the processes of improving.

This framework applies to leaders and teams in all industries, but let me be clear, it starts with the leader.

And if you ever find yourself in middle TN near the 4th of July, head to Smithville, grab a seat, order a funnel cake, and sit back and enjoy the show. You might discover something that you love so much that you have to share it with others …

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