It’s no secret that I’m a huge music fan and my playlist consists of just about every type of music you can imagine. When it comes to bands, one of my favorite things to do with other music fans is get into heated discussions about who is the true talent in the group. I’m a firm believer that there are really talented people, and some that just got lucky to be in the right place at the right time. I won’t name any names, but you can probably think of a few popular band members that fit that category.
When it comes to music duo’s one band seems to generate a lot of controversy when it comes to deciding who has the real talent, and that’s Hall & Oates. No one can seem to agree on where the true talent lies. Is it Daryl Hall, the blond-haired, lead singing guitarist. Or is it John Oates, the quiet bass playing, keyboard banger with the killer mustache.
I’ve always been a big fan of Hall & Oates but had forgotten just how many songs I really liked by this group. By the way even if you’ve never heard of this band or think you don’t know any of their songs, trust me when I tell you that not only do you know many of their songs, but you can probably sing some of the lyrics as well.
Recently I was on a long drive from my home in Ann Arbor to a client in Chicago and a satellite radio channel was doing a Hall & Oates tribute. During this four hour drive I was completely blown away with how many hit songs they had and how I could sing along to just about every one of them.
Being the music freak that I am, once I got to the hotel, I immediately looked it up. During their 5-decade career, Hall and Oates released 33 singles. Here’s how they break down
29 of these singles made into the Billboard top 40, which is a great career for any artist.
16 of these made it into the top 10.
6 made it all the way to #1.
Again, this is an amazing career and the reason why they are in the Rock-n-Roll Hall of fame.
But I told you I’m a true music freak, so I had to dig a bit deeper. I looked up the songwriters to all of these 29 hit singles and guess what?
There are always 2 names on the songwriting credits- Daryl Hall & John Oates. They worked with other writers, but both their names were on every hit single.
But I’m a true music aficionado so I did a bit more research. Both Daryl Hall and John Oates have released multiple solo albums over there long spanning careers. Guess how many billboard top 40 hit singles they have combined for all of their solo albums?
ZERO- NONE
You are probably wondering what this has to do with you and your leadership journey?
I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly amazing leaders over the past 25 years and the one thing they all had in common is that they didn’t do it alone. They all had some great partners along their journey and were smart enough to recognize them.
Every one of us has someone out there has someone that just makes us a better version of ourselves. When we are around them, they help propel us to success that we never could have achieved without them.
You have someone that makes you better. How much time are you investing in that relationship? Maybe it’s someone you work with? Maybe you are fortunate to get to go home to that person every night. Whomever that person is, make sure you recognize that and make let them know just how important they are for you.
I know for a fact that we all have someone out there that probably makes us a worse version of ourselves as well so do your best to avoid them while you’re one your journey to achieving at the highest levels.
Here’s one thing I know for a fact.
Without each other, Daryl Hall and John Oates would probably be the greatest no name club musicians that you never heard of.
Cheers to you and your great partners
One Quarter Turn at a Time
Thoughts for the week:
Collaboration allows us to know more than we are capable of knowing by ourselves.
-Paul Solarz
A good relationship is when someone accepts your past, supports your present and encourages your future. -Unknown
A great marriage or partnership is one where each person secretly suspects they are getting a better deal.
–Unknown
If you want to have a good partner, be a good partner. -Unknown
Looking forward to our next connection
Coach Tim
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