Has the dancefloor become the running of the bulls?

A popular leadership and strategy metaphor talks about needing to move from the dancefloor to the balcony. You've heard that, right?

The dancefloor is where all the action is - the bump and grind of the everyday workplace where we are deep in the thick of it.

Then there is the balcony, where we step back, take stock and look at the whole thronging mass. From here, we can make better and more long-term decisions. We encourage leaders to move to the balcony more and not get too caught up in the frenetic movement below.

But I'm not so sure that what leaders are looking at is a dance anymore. Because dancing can be fun, if hectic. There are lots of different ways to express your dance and get your groove on. And there aren't usually heavy casualties.

I think what a lot of leaders are looking at now is the running of the bulls.

It feels more dangerous than a dance. Everyone is locked into the need to do more and more - a direction you can only escape by leaping over a fence, finding a spot to hide or by needing medical attention.

We have the evidence of asking too much all around us - increasing health claims, staff churn and disengagement. But even from the balcony, we seem unable to make sense of and stop this crazy and dangerous event.