"The Apprentice" Class(less)room

Image by OPEN Sports via Flickr

Do you ever wonder why you're not politically savvy or want to learn how NOT to behave under pressure?  If so, then I recommend you watch this Seasons "The Apprentice" (switched from Sundays to Thursday nights) featuring Donald Trump.

There is tons to learn by watching how participants fail to plan, lack of goal setting, poor deligation, mediocre support of others, shortage on execution and (my favorite) sensitivity to criticism -- all attributes we need to work on personally or professionally, regardless of whether you are a recognized leader.


After watching the celebrities on the Celebrity Apprentice version, I conclude that they're somewhat more sophisticated in presenting a more positive image and try to promote themselves in a positive light ... yet eventually the gloves go on and their weaknesses are magnified (inset Dennis Rodman with Donald Trump).

With this season, they didn't wait. The cattiness of both the men's and ladies' teams came out right away. In fact, the girls didn't even wait until they'd found out whether they won before they started to turn on each other.   In fact, I can see why many of them are out of work.  Their attitudes, lack of support towards their project managers and team playing is obvious on the most outspoken participants.


I like to see whether I agree with The Donald's decision. I was getting him when he gave the first one to Peirs based on results, then he contradicted that by giving it to Joan Rivers instead of Annie Duke in the 2nd one. I agreed with Brett Michaels who was THE best winner so far because he got results, was a team player and didn't create animosity to win (unlike the previous winners).


I haven't been as enamoured of Lord Sugar's decisions that have been more based on how much support the project manager or fired person is getting from his/her team. People instinctively (especially women) recognize who is a threat. The Donald has been letting those clouded politics influence his decision. If he'd done that on the Celebrity Apprentice, Annie Duke and Piers would have been eliminated early on.


If I were a candidate on this season, it is more like watching Big Brother -- where who your alliances are more important than how you finish the task. In business, a strong leader gets buy in from everyone. Unlike real life business, on The Apprentice you are stuck with your team.  The Donald himself is able to build his own team that will compliment his strengths and minimize weaknesses (which he perhaps does not think he has any, which is a weakness in itself).   Best shown by being flanked by two of his children, Ivanka and Donald Jr.


I find Ivanka Trump to be very astute and I agree with her comments and observations. I like to think I relate to her the most. The ability to be direct and honest, yet focus on people's conduct rather than them personally is an art she sets herself apart from candidates and even her father.  On the other hand, Donald Jr. is somewhat wishy washy, or a prime example how the right support and coaching can increase one's strength or potential.


The best part of this season, of which I am envious of,  is each winning Project Manager gets to sit down with successful business leaders for an informal coaching session -- I would love to be a fly on the wall!  Somehow though, from what I've observed so far, it may be wasted because the greatest weakness by most candidates, winners or losers, is poor team play, engaging, respecting and listening to others.