No one ever said teaching was easy. One can find the good and not so good in everything and teaching is no exception. There are days when one feels it just isn't even worth getting out of bed, while there are others where one clearly understands the brilliance and rewards of helping others accomplish tasks that were once seemingly impossible. The smile of satisfaction, the tears of joy and accomplishment on a student's face can often make everything feel more than worthwhile.

Teaching demands a high level of skills, two of them being effective communication and leadership. How can a teacher be an effective leader? One of the keys to success in that regard is being an effective communicator. What you communicate and how you say it is exactly how your students will respond. Having a tough day? Don't feel like being there? No problem. We're only human and we're likely to feel this way more often than not. What's important is to know that there's a job to be done and there are people who can greatly benefit by what you have to say and teach, no matter how you may feel inside. Your students depend on you. Why do they look forward to taking class? Because you are the one who is facilitating it. If a student takes a big leap forward in a task, it's because you were there to help them attain this goal every step of the way. That's pretty powerful stuff, don't you think? Would you let your students down because you didn't feel like communicating and being there on any given day? The way you feel doesn't necessarily have to be supported by any action you choose to take.

Say you are in a long run of a successful Broadway show. One night, because of personal issues at home, you really don't feel like going to the theatre and doing your thing. Just because you feel that way, would you let down those audience members that paid a hefty ticket fee just to see you? No, the show must go on and it's how you communicate your role on stage that night that makes all the difference. In this case you are an entertainer and no matter what happens before you arrive at the stage door that night, you leave your stuff there and by the time you hit the stage...you're on! Same difference as a teacher. Just because you are having a tough day doesn't mean your students need to see and feel it in any way. Put your stuff aside and concentrate on the matter of teaching. It's all about being in the present moment and not letting anything in the past get in your way. Effective communication has everything to do with being in the present moment, loving what you are doing and letting your students feel your passion for the fine art of dance.

Have you ever noticed that teachers that communicate from their hearts always seem to have a smile on their face? That type of joy is truly infectious and you better believe that students feel it whether they are aware of it consciously or not. Does being an effective communicator mean you have to study communication skills for years? No way. You already have what it takes. Do you believe it? Feel your joy, wear it on your sleeve and watch how your students will respond.

So what does all of this have to do with being an effective leader? Everything! If you make a conscious effort to communicate your joy, you automatically end up displaying amazing, natural leadership qualities. Students will follow your lead because of the wonderful way in which you present yourself. If you display a can do attitude, your students will learn that from you. You are a leader, whether you like it or not. Wear that label with pride and be proud of the fact that you have a say in the development of those that are still finding their way in life. Those that are lost always look to those who can help them out of the darkness. That's what life is all about. If we weren't here to help one another, what would be the point? Don't ever forget that you are a role model. You lead so that others can follow. How you lead is of paramount importance. Connect with your passion and why you decided to be a teacher in the first place. If you've lost your passion, re-connect with it. The fire is still there, just find the spark to relight the flame. Lead by example, lead by showing how wonderful dance, and life, can truly be. The energy that will follow just might surprise you.

There is no secret to being an effective leader. All you have to do is communicate the fact that you love what you are doing and you have something wonderful to share with others that have a common interest. You have the power, the gift, the blessing to make a major difference in many young lives, communicate your message effectively and your students will follow you to the ends of the earth...or at least to your class each and every week!

Robert Landau is a Certified Life Coach and has been helping individuals and businesses find their true voice and expression in life for over twelve years. His website is www.RobertLandauMotivation.com