Every once in a while, life throws you a curveball—not the kind that knocks you down, but the kind that leaves you unexpectedly inspired. Late last week, I found myself deep in craft supplies, glitter, and hot glue guns, all because of a spontaneous challenge: my daughter and three of her friends decided to enter a local lip sync battle. What started as a casual weekend event turned into a full-scale production involving props, choreography, mashups, and, believe it or not, an impromptu DJ performance by a 50-something dad.
It was a wildly fun experience. But more importantly, it sparked something in me that I didn’t see coming: a new way of thinking about my work, my leadership, and the importance of diverse teams.
Part 1: Costumes, Signs, and Creative Chaos
As a business owner, I’m used to juggling operations, strategy, client meetings, and HR issues. Designing costumes and props for a lip sync performance? Not on the usual task list. But there I was, brainstorming how to transform a stage into a rave party, sketch out signs, and coordinating outfits for songs ranging from country-pop to disco-funk.
I hadn’t flexed that kind of creative muscle in a long time—and wow, was it refreshing. I was pulled into a different world, away from my inbox and to-do list, and it gave my brain the break it didn’t know it needed.
What surprised me most was what happened after. When Monday rolled around and I was back at my desk, I looked at a few work projects that had been nagging at me for weeks. But instead of spinning my wheels, I found myself solving problems with fresh ideas. New angles. Clearer thinking. I had unknowingly let those issues simmer in the background while my attention was on glitter and duct tape.
This was lesson number one: changing your environment sparks new ideas. It’s something I’ve always known, but rarely made intentional space for. Getting out of your usual routine—even if it’s for a high-energy teen talent show—can reboot your problem-solving engine in a powerful way.
Part 2: The Soundtrack of Teamwork
Let’s talk about the playlist.
The original idea was that the girls would pick one song to lip sync. Sounds simple enough, right? But try getting four young women, aged 18 to 23, to agree on a single track that represents all of them. Add to it that they were doing this all by group text. It was…ambitious.
And then, the breakthrough. One of them said, “What if we each pick our favorite song and just create a mashup?”
The phones blew up. Problem solved. Individual preferences were not only respected, they became the centerpiece of the performance. The playlist they created included:
- Man! I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain
- TNT by AC/DC
- Blame It on the Boogie by The Jacksons
- All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
Not exactly a lineup you’d find on one Spotify playlist—and yet, it worked. It worked because it reflected the personalities of each team member. And with the help of a 16-year-old little brother who happened to have some serious audio mixing skills, they wove those songs together with smooth, surprising transitions.
And then came choreography. Yes, the little brother stepped up again. He threw in fun transitions, layered in coordinated moves, and before long, this side project had become a full-scale production. He quickly became the de facto show producer. Somewhere along the way, they decided that one of the dads would make a cameo appearance as a DJ in the background. Let’s just say he embraced his new role fully—complete with props, moves, and a beanie cap.
Part 3: From Lip Sync to Leadership Lessons
It wasn’t until I was commuting to work the following Monday that the full weight of what I had just witnessed (and helped produce) really hit me.
These songs shouldn’t go together. This team shouldn’t have worked. But they did, and they were amazing. And that’s when the second big lesson came to mind:
Diversity isn’t just important in teams—it’s the key to innovation.
The lip sync team had:
- Four young women with different musical tastes
- A teenage boy with unexpected skills in audio production and stage design
- Parents (yours truly included) who stepped in with support and supplies
- A creative process driven by collaboration, respect, and fun
And the end result? Pure magic. The performance earned them the “Golden Microphone” trophy and an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience. But more than that, it showcased the power of combining different talents, perspectives, and voices.
Each person on that team had a moment to shine. And just as importantly, they also had moments where they stepped back and played a supporting role. No one dominated. Everyone contributed. And the final product was so much better than anything one of them could have done alone.
This mirrors what I strive for in my business: a workplace where everyone’s ideas matter, where different backgrounds are valued, and where collaboration fuels our success.
Part 4: Takeaways for the Workplace
So what does a lip sync battle teach us about business?
- Out-of-the-box thinking needs out-of-the-box activity.
If you’re stuck on a project or problem, don’t double down on staring at it harder. Do something different. Get outside your routine. Try something creative. Let your brain rest and play—you’ll be surprised what clarity emerges. - Embrace mashups.
Just like those songs, your team members might bring wildly different styles, ideas, or processes to the table. That’s not a roadblock—that’s the opportunity. Welcome the mashups. Innovation lives in the intersections. - Give everyone a turn in the spotlight.
Strong teams know when to lead and when to support. Creating space for each person to contribute their strengths (and get their moment to shine) builds trust, respect, and shared pride in the outcome. - Sometimes your best producer is the one you least expect.
The 16-year-old brother in this story might not have been the obvious pick for stage manager and choreographer. But he was the glue that brought the vision to life. In business, that reminds me to look beyond job titles and tap into people’s actual talents. - Diversity isn’t just about representation—it’s about results.
Different perspectives, ages, backgrounds, and experiences made this performance stronger. The same is true at work. Diversity isn’t about checking boxes – it’s about unlocking solutions you’d never get to on your own. The more voices we include, the more powerful our solutions become.
In the workplace, diversity means we open ourselves up to a wealth of experience and problem-solving styles. It means acknowledging that the best ideas don’t always come from the loudest voices or the most senior person in the room. Sometimes, the spark comes from a quieter team member who sees a challenge from an entirely different angle. Or someone newer to the industry who doesn’t yet know the “rules” and therefore breaks them in a way that leads to real innovation.
It means we stop building teams that all think the same way and instead focus on building teams that challenge each other, respectfully and constructively. It’s this diversity of thought that allows companies to move faster, adapt quicker, and solve more complex problems. When we only surround ourselves with like-minded individuals, we miss opportunities to push boundaries, to question our assumptions, and to grow.
Part 5: Final Thoughts (And Confetti)
That lip sync performance wasn’t just a fun weekend activity. It was a moment of clarity.
I’m reminded now more than ever that stepping away from the ordinary, even briefly, can breathe new life into your work. That embracing creativity, even in unexpected ways, reawakens innovation. That when we invite people of all backgrounds to bring their whole selves to the table, the results can be spectacular.
Whether it’s building a staffing plan, leading a team, or solving a tough challenge, I’ll be keeping a bit of that “Golden Microphone” energy with me. Because behind every standout performance is a team that worked together, thought differently, and celebrated each other along the way.
And maybe a cardboard boombox or two.
Want to explore how a diverse and creative team can help your business shine? Let’s connect. At West Sound Workforce, we believe in the power of unique perspectives—and we’re here to help you find your next rockstar (or DJ).