Tyra's Model Partnership Lessons

Tyra Banks is adding a third television show to her slate, maybe that's why the model talk show host is working with a partner for her latest project.

Banks is teaming up with prankster Ashton Kutcher for a yet-to-be-named series that will air on ABC (DIS). The new show will feature competing beauty pageant contestants and a secret twist. 

The collaboration is something new for the former Victoria’s Secret supermodel (LTD)  who will have to learn to share the spotlight. However, this duo should work well together because both Banks, 34, and Kutcher, 30, are reality television pros. Kutcher has stared in MTV's (VIA)  Punk'd and has produced the CW's (TWX) Beauty and the Geek. Banks is host and producer of the CW's America's Next Top Model and her talk show The Tyra Banks Show. Still, for many women being teamed with a male counterpart—whether starting a new job, starting a new business, or just in a regular work situation—is no stroll down the catwalk. Understanding each other's roles, experts say, is the key to forging successful female/male business partnerships.

Men and women should be treated the same in the workplace, says Bob Basile, a career coach in New York, even though they may differ in their work styles. He suggests that companies utilize personality assessments for their employees, regardless of gender.  “[Personality tests] can be very helpful in allowing teams and members understand their natural personality propensities and [then] honor the difference in style.” 

Men often complain that women don’t get down to business soon enough, take things too seriously, and trying to be "one of the boys" at work, says Simma Lieberman, a life and career coach in Albany, Calif. On the other hand, according to Lieberman, women generally say that men address women inappropriately, see women as objects not people, and make decisions about work without consulting their female colleagues. She says that men and women should be mindful of the strengths that the other brings to the workplace. Women are generally associated with harmony, balance, nurturance, serenity, creativity, teamwork, and being detail oriented. Men tend to be goal oriented, good at problem solving and responsive to challenges.