When he's off-beat, I stay on-beat.

This is one of many instances when great following means not following the leader. The leader's authority is governed by his harmony with the larger authority--the music. If he's not in harmony with the music, he's offering me a choice between his lead and the music.

I need to follow the music.

It's the quickest way for him to get back on beat, and it's my responsibility not to stray from the music no matter what.

We are dancing to the music. Inside the musical boundaries is where the dance lives. If one of us exits those boundaries, we're no longer truly dancing.