Critical Lessons from American Idol: The Importance of Song Choice

American Idol has moved from the initial selection rounds through “Hollywood week” into the winnowing down – from the top 24 contestants, week by week – and moving towards the final American Idol winner. In these initial post-Hollywood rounds, the contestants perform a song they have chosen. More than any other factor, what determines who advances and who goes home?

Song choice.

Just as song choice is the make-or-break strategic decision for American Idol contestants, choosing the right fit is the make-or-break strategic decision for success in life and business.

In Idol, notice how frequently the judges’ comments focus on various aspects of song choice. Randy, Ellen, Kara, and Simon will say things like:

• That song did not really work for your vocal range or style.
• That song is too old for you.
• That song choice was too safe – you need to take more risk and play bigger.
• That song choice was too risky – as in – you should never ever try to perform certain songs by Whitney Houston or Celine Dion. Unless you have a massive voice, you will never do it justice.
• Your song choice did not help you, since I did not get to know you as an artist. I have no idea of where you fit into the music world.

Compare the contestants who pick the wrong song to those who make a good strategic song choice.

Those who pick a good song begin to define themselves as an artist, capitalize on their natural talent, and maximize their chances to really shine. They can focus on interpreting the song in their unique style and voice. When they make a good choice, they get applause from the audience and kudos all around. (Except from Simon, who nearly always finds something to pick on, especially in the early rounds.)

What is required to pick the right song? It is important to pick a song not just because you like it, but because it really works for you. Often during the pre-performance interviews, a contestant will say that they really like their song, but it turns out to be a poor choice for them to perform. Why? Because it does not showcase their best singing capabilities or their unique artistry.

How does this relate to you as a business leader?

Picking your next business opportunity, assignment, or career move as a leader is like making a strategic song choice in American Idol. Whether you are leading a one-person business, a department, or a large enterprise, you are the AMERICAN IDOL HOPEFUL. You need to understand WHEN AND HOW you best perform and what conditions are required for you to be successful. Or not.

Here are a few common mistakes:

• Picking the wrong size organization – either too large or too small. I once worked for a company who brought in a new CEO who had been very successful in a large company environment. He did not understand the culture or challenges of the small company environment – and was too slow to appreciate that he didn’t know what he didn’t know.

• Picking an organization that lacks a critical ingredient for your success. The CEO from the large company was accustomed to support staff and infrastructure that did not exist. While General Electric is widely known for producing great executives, these executives sometimes struggle when they move to different organizations that lack the supporting infrastructure that contributed to their earlier success. In the rush to accept a new assignment, professionals may assume that critical elements are in place – only to discover later that these missing pieces slow their results or sabotage their chances of success.

• Picking an organization at the wrong stage of development for you. Are you an innovator, an operator, a turn-around expert? Many leaders are especially well suited by skill set and temperament to lead an organization from one stage to another. Once they enter the new phase, not only do they leave their comfort zone, they are no longer motivated by the challenges of the new phase — and do not thrive.

Finding the right fit as a leader is like making a great song choice. A great song choice provides the perfect opportunity for you to shine and to express your gifts.

Like the song choice in American Idol, there are no easy answers or rules. As leaders who are navigating a complex economy, we must understand ourselves and make the right song choice in our work.