Pirouettes to Power Moves: Ballet Lessons for Business Leaders

Anyone who knows me personally has likely discovered that dance has always been an inseparable part of my life. From the age of 4, I've always found myself in a dance studio, in front of a mirror, translating culture, history, and music into movement.

My dance credentials span several genres. Expand for the full list and a photo from my first tap recital at age 6. 🙈🙈

• Jazz: Ages 4-14

• Tap: Ages 6-16, with a few classes in my 20s

• Musical Theatre: Ages 8-11, including a production of Annie where I played non-speaking orphan Susie (buckets, hard-knock life, and all)

• Israeli Folk Dancing: Attended dance nights with my mom since age 8

• Hip Hop: One year at age 14, did a recital number to a Fergie medley I believe?

• Ballet: 1 year at 15 + and now back at it in my 30s ... I'll come back to this

• Afro-Brazilian: When I moved to SF after college, I found an amazing dance studio that had a Afro-Brazilian class with live drumming every week. There's something so intoxicating about attending a dance class with live music. And with the heavy cultural influence, sigh -- I miss it so much.

• Bhangra: An amazing Punjabi cultural dance. When I lived in the Bay Area, I joined an incredible Bhangra dancing group and took part in a number of dance-offs (aka grown-up dance recitals) with them.

• Country Line Dancing: A newfound love in my 30s 🤠

I drifted away from formal dance instruction in high school, feeling there wasn't a place for someone who viewed dance as a hobby rather than a career path. But as time passed, the pull of dance never really left me. In college, I found myself craving the artistic movement dance provides, and I sporadically returned to adult dance classes to scratch that itch. Dance is more than just a sport or an art form. It teaches discipline, creative expression, resilience, and perhaps most importantly, the power of stepping into a role—even when you don't feel entirely ready.

Recently, I’ve found myself back in a ballet class, something I hadn’t revisited since I was 15. My relationship with ballet has always been a bit complicated. As a teenager, I signed up for a ballet class to improve my technique in other dance styles. But when I looked in the mirror at the barre, I realized my body didn't quite fit the "ballerina mold." My arms were more muscular, my hips wider, and my movements, shaped by years of tap dancing, felt heavy and impactful rather than airy. I concluded then that ballet wasn’t for me and didn’t return for years.

But something changes when you hit your 30s. You care less about fitting into someone else's idea of what you should be and more about doing what makes you happy. So, I gave ballet another try. This time, it wasn’t about fitting a mold or meeting someone else’s expectations. It was about reconnecting with movement, enjoying the artistic beauty of ballet, and challenging myself in new ways.

During one of our classes, a newer student was struggling with confidence. She wasn’t saying it out loud or anything, but you could see it in her hesitant movements—she didn’t feel like she belonged. Our instructor, Miss Mary, noticed and offered some simple advice: “Don’t be afraid to step into that ballerina role. Move your arms and your head the way you think a ballerina would. You’ll be surprised at what a difference that makes.”

That advice struck a chord with me, not just in the context of ballet (although it is SO TRUE!), but in life and business as well. How often do we hold ourselves back because we think we don’t fit the role we’re supposed to play? We compare ourselves to others, to some 'ideal,' and decide nope, this isn't for us, we just don’t belong. And by internalizing the doubt, we do in fact seem awkward, uncomfortable, and like we stumbled into the wrong class. But the truth is, belonging isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about stepping confidently into the role you choose for yourself.

This lesson in ballet mirrors the journey I’ve taken in my career. I became a Salesforce expert quite by accident. Suddenly, I was thrust into a role I didn’t feel entirely prepared for. But instead of letting that hold me back, I decided to fully embrace the role, to act as if I belonged—and over time, I did. I grew into the role, gained confidence, and eventually became an expert. Now, I help others step into their own roles, as successful industry leaders, setting up the systems they need to help them build the businesses they dream of.

If you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone trying to carve out your own path, my advice is this: Don’t wait until you feel ready or until you think you finally fit the mold. Step into your role with confidence, move as if you belong, and soon enough, you’ll find that you do. Just like in ballet, where the right posture and mindset transform your movements, the right systems and strategies can transform your business.

As I’ve learned to embrace the role of a Salesforce expert, I’ve seen firsthand how the right tools and guidance can empower you to build something truly remarkable. That’s why I’m passionate about helping others step confidently into their roles, armed with the systems they need to succeed.

If you’re ready to take that step, let’s take your CRM strategy to the next level—together. I’m here to find comprehensive, scalable, and long-lasting solutions to your CRM challenges, tailored to help you build the business you envision. Schedule a free consultation with me today and experience a different kind of CRM consultancy, one that’s focused on helping you move with the confidence and clarity of a well-rehearsed dancer.