Some dancers need a lot of guidance. They want to know what facial expression to make at each moment in the piece. Some dancers need almost no guidance. I give these dancers a list of requirements and let them solve the problem on their own.
I always aim to give my dancers the minimum direction necessary to achieve a goal. This way they are maximally engaged with the project. They are creating. I am treating them as the artists they are rather than insulting their intelligence by spoon-feeding them every move. I am asking them to take bold risks in attempting to solve the problem of the motion sculptures I design. They must solve the problem with their bodies and minds.
If the performers are not finding a flow of movement easily on their own, I jump in. I work rapidly. I just get it done. I can always do that. I have been doing this longer than anyone I am working with but I want to give them the chance to do it first. If I give them the answer every time, they may become risk averse and feel paralyzed to try things, waiting for my direction every step of the way.
Sometimes, my jumping in and getting dirty in the process is inspiring. They see me go for it and then they want to go for it. Action is fun. Action is energy. Action is excitement. I love going from 0 to 100. All in or all out. Fully in observation mode or fully in creation mode. Nimble. Give plenty of room for your collaborators to solve it their own way. You don’t always want your solutions because you have probably already seen those approaches. Focus on making the sexiest creative problem for your brilliant team to solve. Then let them solve it.
Be confident in your offering. If they solve it, they will get to take credit for that work and they will be more committed and invested in the project. Give them the full opportunity to be geniuses. Then they will always come back to you and your projects because they get to be their most amazing selves in your work.