The Half Dozen of Salsa Instruction - Part II
THIS IS THE SECOND ARTICLE IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES ABOUT SALSA INSTRUCTION.
3) Continuous technique and teaching methods' improvement
Savvy instructors know that in order to stay ahead of the competition, they have CONTINUALLY work on themselves first in order to become more valuable. This process never ends. It is no secret that really successful men and women adopt the principle of “do more than what you’re paid for” into their personal philosophy. In the field of Salsa Instruction, this means that not only you have to work on your dancing skills (after all, your students need to be able to look up to you if they are to stay with you), but you have to improve and stay up to date with the latest and most effective teaching methods and tools available.
A lot of Salsa Instructors (myself included) fall in what it’s called the “Intelligence Trap”. This term is used when someone, after acquiring enough experience or some sort of formal degree or education, believes he/she is now sooooooo smart and intelligent, that the individual believes he/she doesn’t have to learn anything else. Being able to stay humble and realize we will never know everything about our field is one major challenge we as Instructors face constantly.
It is our duty and responsibility to learn as much as we can and apply what works. After all, we are forging the way for a new generation of dancers (and maybe instructors). You are going to have to spend money along the way. Don’t be cheap. Money spent on your own self-development is money that will eventually reap many benefits.
4) Laser-like focus and clear communication
“Sustained, focused attention…” In his book “It’s Not About the Bike”, Lance Armstrong attributes most of his success to being able to singlemindedly focus on a goal, and then following through until he achieves it. One major problem these days is that people are “a mile wide and an inch deep”. What does this mean? People start working on 10 things at once, never fully immersing themselves into one single endeavor. Some Salsa Instructors want to teach group/private classes, do Salsa Socials, perform, travel, promote, etc., etc., etc… Besides that, he/she more than likely has his/her own day job, and… Well, you get the picture….
Salsa is not unlike any other discipline in terms of having different areas of specialization. In my case, I focus all of my efforts on two areas: my lead and my instruction. I realize that I cannot do it all at once and excel in ALL areas… Therefore, I focus on the areas I am really good at.
Effective communication has always been a distinguishing trait of truly successful individuals. Those who can effectively assemble and coordinate the activities of a team are far more likely to succeed than your typical gung-ho who wants to have absolute control over everything. If you can’t communicate with the people you’re teaching, collaborating with or promoting to, it doesn’t matter how hard you work. People work best when they have crystal clear knowledge of where it is they’re headed. How you manage others expectations and goals through your communication skills will determine their degree of collaboration and commitment to any endeavor, and ultimately, the endeavor’s ultimate success.
ONE MORE PART TO GO.... STAY TUNED...
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