Million Dollar Quartets (Part 3)

(Be sure first to read the previous two parts “The Million Dollar Quartets”)

Having considered the Beatles and the Million Dollar Quartet, what lessons can we draw for professional partnerships?

I think there are six ingredients, at the very least, for successful partnerships. Perhaps you can limp on with less, but not for long.

First, there needs to be a commonality or complementing of Giftings. In both examples we were dealing with musical genius, not only technical talent, but creativity which was off the scale. This is probably a sine qua non– at a minimum you can’t afford a weak link, but if you want a brilliant constellation, you need dazzling stars.

Second, and here’s perhaps the most difficult part, there needs to be some difference in the Giftings, probably complementary, but such that each partner has an essential and irreplaceable role to play. It’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. In the case of the Beatles, although any of them could have played any instrument, and sung any line, each was differently gifted. Not only did they know this, but they were completely unjealous about it.

Third, they must leverage their complementary Giftings so that the whole is much, much greater than the sum of its parts. By doing this, each contribution is necessary and precious, such that jealousy never intrudes. Trapeze artists best demonstrate this, throwing themselves into space knowing the other will catch them.

Fourth, they stick to their knitting. They were artists first and only, and they plied their art. They clearly had entrepreneurial insight, but they did not do their own bank runs or venue management or sound checks or accounting. They paid people to do these things, even at an early stage.

Fifth, an extension of the fourth factor, they hired overall business management who had their own Giftings. The Beatles recognized the genius of Brian Epstein, and Brian Epstein recognized the genius of the Beatles. The four lads provided the vehicle, but Brian drove the bus, and everyone respected each other’s Giftings.

Sixth, they showed each other deference and respect. From all accounts of the Beatles, in the early years this was very genuine– they were actually best friends.

Lewis, Cash, Perkins, and Presley possessed many of these attributes, but not all of them. They understood business and hired good help. They knew how to work with others, but except for one-offs, each had to be the sole shining star. None of their personalities were made for sharing the limelight. Each needed to be top dog. They did not possess that rare Gifting, the Gifting of Teamwork.

It’s also important to note that the Beatles as a partnership endured and thrived for about a decade but ultimately the individuals went their separate ways, at least professionally. Making a professional partnership last for more than a decade is a medal-worthy achievement, and we’ll write more about that later.

(Third of a three-part series excerpted from the book.)