The Art of Pairing Up

In the early 1990’s, I had the honour of meeting Singaporean wine connoisseur Chng Poh Tiong at a luncheon hosted for journalists. He mentioned the fact that many wine-drinkers had not dared experiment with drinking wines with local foods. Why not pair a Chardonnay with Hainanese chicken rice (a simple but beautiful dish to sample when you are here for the F1 Night Race)? Or, a Northern Indian curry dish with a cabernet sauvignon? Why is it always the simplistic approach: red meat with red wine; white meat with white wine? Rose wine must, probably, confuse many neophyte winophiles – drink it alone and by itself?

This led me to think about the concept of pairing. If we can pair up wines and cuisines, then how can we extend and expand pairing in our relationships and pursuits? If pairing clothes is complicated at times (as in fashion), can you imagine how relations – both professional and personal – can turn out when we pair up carelessly and impulsively?

Racing or training solo may be a straightforward task. However, once you pair up with a partner, you have a responsibility and obligations to look after and look out for your companion. Father-and-son team ‘The Hoyts’ race together in endurance races, including the Ironman triathlon. The fact is that the father is doing most of the work towing his son on a dinghy (while he swims 3.8K), rides with his son perched at the front of his bike, and pushes him in a wheelchair during the marathon. However, it is a strong testament of fatherly love for his son.

When racing in a relay, how do you pair up your members? Who passes the baton or champion-chip to whom? Who swims, rides and runs requires discernment and decision. Pairing is, thus, crucial to gaining time over the competition as it can be a strategic move. You choice of partners in adventure races also matter, as you are as strong as your weakest link (partner, injuries, health, and fitness).

I intend to meet an Australian couple, Sue and Andrew O’Brien who are, incidentally authors at next weekend’s Gold Coast Marathon. This couple has run eight marathons over eight countries over eight weeks and will be speaking at the race-fair.

Sponsors have a marketing budget and marketing campaign in mind. Who they pair up with has to maximise their marketing spend. Thus, it is challenging to get them to become key or main sponsors in new sporting events. There is doubt, concerns and apprehension over untested companies and events. Trust becomes the currency and denomination of partnership and commitment. Therefore, pairing decision is dependent on the relationships built through frequent face-to-face and online contact – what we know as ‘touch points’. When companies have a Facebook page or Twitter page, they are hoping to initiate pairings with current and potential consumers that lead to future ‘top-of-mind’ consumer decisions. When we click the ‘like’ button, we have begun the pairing process.

In business, the various relationships we initiate or get into have implications and consequences if we are unaware of the unspoken and unassertive. Many issues emerged after a professional relation matures; disagreements lead to conflicts and prejudices. Partners take up positions of offence or defence; as such, there are forces of struggle within and without, and customers and colleagues notice the incongruence.

Leadership Lesson: When did you last pair up professionally? What would you consider before you enter an alliance or partnership? Which are the implications of partnering with friends and family in business?