Ever since I was introduced in 2010-ish to Brandi Guild’s concept of the follower as the driver, leader as the GPS unit, I’ve been utilizing that analogy when talking about dance roles. It’s more reflective of the interpersonal dynamics that happen on the dance floor and those dance values shared by Lindy Hop’s Black creators, past, present and future.
Recently, I had the opportunity to embody those values during a one-on-one software training session. My default would have been to show with the expectation they’d take notes, mental or written, and then see if they could duplicate my efforts but instead of I offered if they’d be willing to drive with my navigation. It went rather well with both of us having a bit of a struggle at times, me making sure I was communicating my IRL practice and her experiencing trial-and-error. Much like a dance, either person’s initiation can land us in a new place but we adapt and attune.