Dancefloor fillers and management hits

1. Two leaders are rarely a hit. Let's be honest- one person in the couple tends to take the lead- and in a heteronormative couple, for the purposes of wedding-planning, that often tends to be the bride. Thank goodness really- because trying to combine two sets of opinions on an equal footing for every single tiny decision rarely works.

Project management is no different. Designate a clear lead. Whether it's a new initiative, a client presentation, or a re-org, someone needs to be the ultimate decision-maker to keep things moving. Democracy is great, but leadership by committee can be a fast-track to nowhere.

2. The best weddings prioritise the people. Is there a ten-minute firework display but no free booze? Problem. Did the happy couple leave for two hours for photos and forget to leave out anything more than 30 teeny canapés to be split between 100 guests? Big problem. The same happens at work when we prioritise the shiny 'fireworks' (a new strategy launch, a big announcement) over the 'free booze' (the tools, resources, and recognition that make your team's daily life better). Don't get so caught up in the main event that you forget the guest experience.

3. Sweet Caroline is a guaranteed dance floor filler. In management, we often get obsessed with shiny new objects- the latest tech, a radical new process, an avant-garde team-building exercise. But sometimes, the most effective tool is the one that's tried, tested, and gets everyone on the same page. You don't always need a complex, bespoke solution. Sometimes, you just need to play the hit that you know gets people moving in the right direction.

4. No good speech is more than 7 minutes. Truly. We've all endured that best man speech that went from charming, to meandering, to slightly concerning. Your updates, town halls, and team presentations are no different. Stick to one big message. Make it memorable. If in doubt: be shorter, funnier, and finish with warmth. Your team will remember how you made them feel- not every bullet point from your Q3 revenue update.

5. Choosing two 'best men' is weak. Don't chicken out of giving feedback or making a tough call. If one person of a pair (or group) needs picking for a promotion, or there's a choice to be made on who gets the plum project- it really won't work to just keep hoping for the best and assuming they'll want to share it. No one wants to sit through two best man speeches, and making a hard choice shows respect for everyone involved. Dodging it just creates confusion and waters down the recognition for all.

6. The seating plan is everything. The sheer political agony of the seating plan... Aunt Carol can't be near Cousin Dave after the incident of '09, the work friends need a buffer from the university lot, and someone needs to make sure Great Uncle Barry doesn't get stuck on his own. Your office layout, your project teams, even who you invite to which meetings- it's all a seating plan. Be a thoughtful architect of your team's interactions. A little strategic placement can avoid a lot of drama and spark brilliant new conversations. Don't just throw people together and hope for the best.

At the end of the day, whether you're planning a wedding or leading a team, it's all about creating an experience where people feel valued, seen, and maybe even get a chance to dance badly to a classic song.