What is your favorite arena?

What do boxing, tango dancing, and business negotiations have in common?

When you read this, you might think:
Nothing!

Let’s have a closer look:

Boxing

You might think about…
a boxing ring, testosterone, the smell of blood, sweat, and leather, a win or lose situation, a screaming audience, – and knock out.

Tango

You might think of …
red velvet, high heels, perfume, slick back hair, elegance in movement, attraction, connection and intimacy.

Business

You might think of…
shareholders, sitting around a table, reports, data, different interests, money and budgets, closing a contract.

I am painting an extreme picture.
You and me know, that the reality of these three situations can look different and is more nuanced than these stereotypes.

What all three have in common is:
It’s communication.

Your body language matters, and the way you navigate each moment matters.

Of course, time, timing, and intention are different for each of the three situations:

Do you dance to win?
Probably not.

Connection is the magic word.

Do you box to win?

Probably yes.

Do you negotiate to win?

Probably…yes, too!

The best business is a win-win, of course.
However, in reality it can be as good as it gets.
Depending what kind of person you are and what is at stake.

I dare say: when you are a skilled fighter or dancer, you are equipped with the best gear to navigate unexpected situations, and that is what business negotiations need.

Why?

Your body is your instrument for communication.

Do you know the expression:

Thinking on your feet?

It means to be alert and prepared for any situation,
to pivot if necessary, to be flexible to change.

Any fighter, dancer or business man can prepare for the fight, the show or the board room, but when you enter the situation it’s crucial that you are present, to anything that can happen.

In boxing, a split second of doubt or being unaware can result in a hit in your face.
In tango, not aligning with the music or your partner or your own center results in dis-connection.
In business, not having a clear vision, clarity in resources, budget or negotiation strategy can lead to loss.

Here is where mind and body form a union:
When they are aligned, present and ready, you can face any challenge.

You can rely on your expertise, on your skill,
but how you use it in the moment, is a matter of presence:

When the music starts, your body knows the moves.
When you enter the ring, your body has the reflexes to fight.
When you enter the board room, you let go of the preparation and you are on.

Mindset & Embodiment.

It’s a training.

What do I mean by that?
Body-Mind practice is a devotion.

In reality it means:
many, many, many hours of practice, refinement, repetition, and maybe blood, sweat and tears…
proceeding that state where you can let go of training and BE IT.

That is the same for the dancer, the boxer and the business person:
You train your body-mind, so your instrument is versatile, and serves you when you need to perform.

What is your favourite arena?

PS:
This article is inspired on a conversation I had recently with my 20 year old son.
He is a passionate boxer, and studies law.
I have danced Tango since 21 years, and also due to this dance, my son exists.

Crazy, and true.

Over a beer we celebrated a succesful presentation he had to give to the faculty.
He told me how his boxing and martial arts experience were assets in that formal context, both in bodily presence and clarity of mind.