Tango is essentially walking with a partner and the music. Musicality (dancing relative to the emotion and speed of the music) is an extremely important element of the tango. A good dancer is one who makes you see the music.

The Argentine tango is danced in an embrace that can vary from very open, in which leader and follower connect at arms length, to very closed, in which the connection is chest-to-chest, or anywhere in between. Close embrace is often associated with the more traditional styles, while open embrace leaves room for many of the embellishments and figures that are associated with more recent forms of tango. It is danced counterclockwise around the outside of the dance floor and couples often segregate into a number of lanes. Cutting across the middle of the floor is frowned upon.

Argentine tango relies heavily on improvisation.  Although certain patterns of movement have been codified by instructors over the years as a device to instruct dancers, there is no “basic step.” Argentine tango is a new orientation of couple dancing. As most dances have a rational pattern which can be predicted by the follower, previous perceptions about strict rules have to be thrown overboard and replaced by a real communication contact, creating a direct non-verbal dialogue. A tango is a living act in the moment as it happens.

As with the passionate dance of tango – when two dancers join in a harmonious embrace timed to the surrounding music – every organization is a triad consisting of leaders and followers bound by a common purpose. Leaders and followers orbit around the purpose with both playing important roles.

A harmonious, and inevitably successful, organization is a product of communication, coordination and passion. Let the dance begin.

1. Identify ‘Leader’ and ‘Follower’ responsibilities. Know where you are going and who is leading.

2. Communicate with your partner.  Give feedback and strive to move as a single entity.

3. Listen to the music. It is your common ground. If you get lost – stop, listen, evaluate – then continue.

4. Be flexible and adaptable to change. Good leaders not only rely on learned steps, but also allow the freedom to improvise.

5. Relate to other dancers on the floor. Be aware of your surroundings and the intentions of other parties involved.

It has been suggested that, at construction, the height of the Great Pyramid was 145 metres (about 50 stories), although erosion has steadily reduced its height by a few metres. Each base side was 230.5 metres.  The total mass of the pyramid is estimated at 5.9 million tonnes.  Based on these estimates, building the Great Pyramid in 20 years would have involved installing approximately 800 tonnes of stone every day.

The Great Pyramid consists of more than 2.3 million limestone blocks. The Egyptians shipped the limestone blocks from quarries all along the Nile River. The stone was cut by hammering wedges into the stone. The wedges were then soaked with water. The wedges expanded, causing the rock to crack. Once they were cut, they were carried by boat down the Nile River to the pyramid. This process was repeated for each and every block. The accuracy of the pyramid’s workmanship is such that the four sides of the base have an average error of only 58 millimetres in length and 1 minute in angle from a perfect square.
It is estimated that the Great Pyramid took almost twenty years to complete due to its size and the type of stone used in creating the structure. Each stone weighed about two to five tonnes and came from Aswan and Tura, a journey of over 900 kilometres.  Not only was the stone imported but also stonemasons would have worked all year long cutting and shaping each block. The complexities of building such a monument were undoubtedly numerous and seemingly insurmountable, but – as we know today – the end result was truly wondrous.

The Pyramids of Egypt were meant to house the embalmed body of a deceased king as it prepared for the journey to the next world. The body was entombed within the pyramid to protect the body and allowed its transformation and ascension to the afterlife.

Since their creation over 4500 years ago, the Pyramids have continuously inspired and intrigued. The 2.3 million limestone blocks of the Great Pyramid with each weighing 2 to 5 tonnes were built one block at a time. Each stone was quarried, transported and installed with a specific purpose.

Setting and achieving your own goals should be approached with the same philosophy – one block, one purpose. If it worked for the oldest and only remaining ancient wonder of the world, it just may work for you too.

1. Note down your goals. Success is easier to achieve when you are clearly aware of the end result.

2. Establish realistic goals. Your goals need to be measurable so that you can hold yourself accountable and also motivate yourself.

3. Generate strategies and tactics to achieve your goals. Strategies are the broad guidelines. Tactics are the specific tasks required for success.

4. Implement your plans. After the goals and the plans have been established, further progress can only be made with action.

5. Monitor your progress. If progress is not meeting expectations, do not get discouraged; instead take corrective action and make the required adjustments.

Despite its status as an industrial and economic juggernaut, Germany is also renowned for its environmental consciousness. The state is committed to several treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, recycling and the use of renewable energy.  It supports sustainable development at a global level. An eco-tax on fuel discourages petroleum use. Laws push waste reduction and recycling; producers must pay to deal with packaging they create. Subsidies encourage people to retrofit their homes with solar panels.  Across Germany, it is common to see houses with solar-photovoltaic panels on their south-facing roofs. Germans are now building massive offshore wind farms in the North Sea.  Additionally, more than a quarter of Germany’s land is home to 13 National Parks, 16 Biosphere Reserves and 80 Nature Parks.

Germany’s emphasis on sustainable development has been an economic success too. There are nearly 250000 Germans employed in the renewable-energy sector. German companies are leaders in fields of photovoltaics, wind turbines, waste management and recycling. Numerous studies are predicting that eco-friendly technologies will surpass automobiles to become Germany’s biggest industry by 2020.

Germany may be globally renowned for beer, automobiles and industry, but Germany is also a world leader in implementing environmentally friendly practices. And the results speak for themselves.  In 2008, Germany was the greenest nation worldwide as it reduced its carbon emission by 5.6% whereas the global carbon emission rose by 2.4%.

Environmentally friendly actions do not have to be large to have a large impact. Consistently reducing the amount of energy, water and paper we use can make a substantial difference.  Operating your business or household along these simple guidelines will not only help the environment, but also help your bank balance – conserving resources and reducing waste inevitably saves money.

1. Recycle, reuse and refurbish. This applies to paper, plastic, glass, furniture and electronics. For example, use both sides of a sheet of paper.

2. Turn off lights and equipment when not in use. Replace regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs which are more efficient.

3. Reduce emissions from automobiles by having them serviced regularly. Make sure tyres are properly inflated.

4. Buy locally manufactured products. This will support the local economy as well as reduce transportation costs.

5. Initiate an ongoing search for “greener” products and services.