As promised, I have some additional details to share about the above break-out session on Day 1 of the NAMIC Diversity Conference.

The instructor, Dr. Robin Denise Johnson presents the "Dance of Leadership" which identifies five leadership styles and their metaphorical expression through Dance.  The "Flowing" and "Staccato" are two styles that are more familiar and considered extraverted in nature.   "Chaos", "Lyrical", and "Stillness" are three styles that are less familiar and considered intraverted.  Dr. Johnson suggests that leadership occurs within the rank and file of an organization.  Middle managers and front line supervisors display one or more of the various leadership styles.  After participating in this session I walked away with a clearer understanding of my own leadership style.  Of course, I couldn't possible fit nice and neatly into one style but instead two, "Flowing" and "Stillness".   Flowing is defined as taking one step at a time, grounded and able to channel energy in a very methodical manner.  Famous leaders that exhibit Flowing style include Mother Teresa, Cleopatra, Michael Jordan and Dona Fela.  My second style is Stillness.  This style is characterized as living and walking the talk.  They are the change agents by their mere prescense.  Popular leaders of our time include Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Dalai Lama, Cesar Chavez, Thich Nhat Hahn and Aung San Suu Kyi.  This is the hardest leadership style to quantify.  As you can imagine, this affects ones ability to justify promotion and salary increases.  Not to worry, there are ways to measure the contributions of a Stillness leader.  Dr. Johnson coaches middle managers as well.

Dr. Johnson teaches at UCLA and shares her Dance of Leadership to NAMIC's ELDP students.  For more information, check-out her book, "Dance of Leadership" - first edition.