Dance Moms Costume Design: The Team That Has Formed

Dance Moms Costume Designingthe Team That Has Formed Is Dance Moms T

Dance Moms Costume Designingthe Team That Has Formed Is Dance Moms T

This assignment involves analyzing the process of costume designing for a dance team called "Dance Moms," focusing on team dynamics, leadership characteristics, communication styles, emotional intelligence, and applying leadership theories. The team has been divided into smaller groups to facilitate costume creation, with members assuming roles based on their strengths and characteristics of effective leadership. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collaboration, proactive planning, and understanding different leadership and communication styles to achieve their common goal of producing suitable costumes for various dance performances.

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The process of designing costumes for the "Dance Moms" dance team provides insight into the complexities of teamwork, leadership, and communication within a creative collaborative environment. As someone involved in this team, I observed firsthand how the division into smaller sub-groups helped streamline the costume-making process, ensuring that each segment of the production was manageable and focused. The team’s structure was informal yet effective, with leadership roles emerging naturally based on individual skills and initiative, embodying traits of effective leadership identified in organizational behavior literature.

Leadership within the team was characterized by qualities such as proactive behavior, flexibility, and open communication. For instance, I served as the leader for the Gazelle costume, developing solutions for practical challenges such as attaching antlers securely to prevent dislodgement during performances. My approach was proactive, envisioning how the costume would function and making adjustments accordingly. Similarly, Amber Evett led the Wildebeest mask design, prioritizing comfort and visual accuracy, while Sharon Frix managed the hyena ears and accessories, utilizing her access to necessary materials.

This organic distribution of leadership roles aligns with the principles outlined in Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" (Covey, 1990). Specifically, team members demonstrated proactive tendencies, beginning with the end goal—costumes that match the performance story—and prioritizing tasks to avoid last-minute problems. The habit of "Synergize" was evident as members contributed their ideas, supporting each other's efforts, which led to more creative and functional costume designs. Communicating openly, respecting each other's opinions, and encouraging input from less confident members fostered a positive team environment, essential for creative collaboration (Northouse, 2014).

The leadership styles observed ranged from resonant to dissonant. Resonant leadership, characterized by high emotional intelligence and positive emotional drive, was apparent among team members who motivated each other through encouragement and shared vision (South University Online, 2014). Conversely, some leaders tended to be more commanding or manipulative, which could hinder team cohesion. The preferred style was resonant leadership, which aligns with the understanding that positive emotional influence enhances team performance.

Communication style within the team favored persuasion over authoritarian methods. Leaders explained their ideas, weighing pros and cons openly, inviting suggestions, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere. This approach echoes research indicating that participative communication, incorporating active listening and inclusive dialogue, leads to better team outcomes (Amendolair, 2003). Moreover, team members felt their opinions mattered and were more willing to contribute, thus increasing engagement and the quality of the costumes.

Applying leadership theories, the team's behavior reflected characteristics of Theory Y, where individuals are motivated, responsible, and willing to work towards shared goals with minimal supervision. This democratic style, which I personally adopted, involved encouraging members to develop their skills and contribute meaningfully. Recognizing the importance of adaptive leadership, I acknowledged that different situations—such as tight deadlines or complex costume elements—sometimes necessitated a more authoritative approach to ensure timely completion (Northouse, 2014).

Developing emotional intelligence was crucial to maintaining a harmonious team environment. Leaders and team members generally handled their emotions well, using positive cues to motivate each other. However, moments of stress or misunderstanding, such as misinterpreting emotional signals during conflicts, highlighted the need for better emotional awareness. Leaders could enhance team dynamics by modeling emotional intelligence—being empathetic, self-aware, and managing their own reactions—and encouraging members to do the same (Amendolair, 2003).

The communication styles of individual leaders varied, with some favoring directness and persuasion, and others employing more subtle, indirect methods. The most effective leaders used persuasive communication, clearly articulating their ideas while inviting feedback. This fostered an environment where team members felt valued and were more willing to contribute ideas, ultimately improving costume quality and team cohesion. Leaders employing manipulation faced resistance and disengagement, showing the importance of transparent, respectful communication (NDSU, n.d.).

The team overall demonstrated a collaborative ethos grounded in shared purpose. Their approach to costume creation exemplified the application of the "win-win" habit—striving for outcomes that benefit all involved. The process underscored the importance of planning, clear role delegation, and ongoing communication to avoid conflicts or overlaps in responsibilities, particularly with the involvement of "prop dads" responsible for certain stage elements. Establishing well-defined roles and scheduled meetings would further improve efficiency and reduce misunderstandings.

From a broader leadership perspective, the team most closely aligns with the concepts outlined in Northouse’s leadership theories, particularly emphasizing democratic leadership and transformational qualities such as inspiring shared vision, fostering collaboration, and empowering team members. The importance of emotional intelligence and effective communication as catalysts for successful teamwork was evident throughout the process. Leaders who modeled positive emotional and communicative behaviors contributed to a supportive environment, enhancing motivation, creativity, and overall performance (Northouse, 2014).

In conclusion, the collaboration involved in costume design for the "Dance Moms" team provided a microcosm for exploring leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication within a creative team. The informal leadership roles, guided by mutual respect and shared goals, demonstrated that effective teamwork hinges on proactive behaviors, clear communication, emotional awareness, and adaptable leadership styles. These insights reinforce that leadership is a dynamic process, essential for fostering a productive, positive environment where collective efforts culminate in successful creative outcomes.

References

  • Amen, D. (2003). Emotional intelligence. Nurse Leader, 1(6), 25-27. doi:10.1016/j.mnl.2003.09.009
  • Amendolair, D. (2003). Emotional intelligence. Nurse Leader, 1(6), 25-27. doi:10.1016/j.mnl.2003.09.009
  • Covey, S. R. (1990). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Fireside.
  • Northouse, P. (2014). Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice. Sage Publishing.
  • NDSU.edu. (n.d.). Communication styles. Retrieved from https://www.ndsu.edu
  • South University Online. (2014). MGT3102: Leadership: Week 1: Leadership Defined. Retrieved from https://www.southuniversity.edu

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