The September 26 New York Times included a Jim Rutenberg interview with Clay Aiken, North Carolina Democrat candidate for Congress. While Aiken has, so far, proven to be a compelling political figure, much of the interview was unfortunately focused on his American Idol experience. However, one question in particular and Aiken’s response caught my eye:
Q: If you look at Washington and all of it problems, what could it learn from a show like “American Idol”?
A: I think it would be a much better place as a country if both parties said: “Here are our ideas. Which ones do you like? And then once you’ve chosen, let’s come together and figure out how to make it work.” Every once in a while, you have to sing a duet – that’s the first time I’ve ever said that, and I’ll probably never say it again.
Understandably, Aiken may be trying to distance himself from references to his Idol experience but that is a really important statement, not only for Hollywood or Washington, but for any workplace.
Just like American Idol candidates, top solo performers in a business setting can also benefit from partnering with someone else for a special project. The sharing of creative energy, the combined talents, and the exposure to diverse ideas will offer each individual a new growth opportunity while also providing better outcomes for the organization.
What can you do to encourage your stars to “sing a duet every once in a while”? Do you have any success stories to share?
