The Apprentice Approach

The Apprentice is such an interesting show. Donald Trump may be a very successful business man, but he has a very unusual method in choosing an executive manager. I enjoy watching the show, but not to learn leadership skills and techniques from the Donald. I find it fascinating to see the teamwork (or lack of it) among the candidates. The projects given to the teams, although bizarre at times, are fun and creative. Although the tasks are not always suited for the skill sets of the potential apprentices, the planning, organizing, leading and controlling of resources challenge the managerial gifts of the candidates.

I know that the show is made for the TV audience, but Donald's approach to the board room is anything but collaborative. He seems to get some great enjoyment over seeing the candidates turn on one another with accusations of blame and weakness. This "throw-your-fellow-teammate -under-the-bus" method of decision making in the "firing" process sets the culture for the entire show.

The strategy of the candidates during each task is to work hard but always find some area of weakness against at least one other player, so that if they are called into the board room they will have a bony finger of failure to point in someone else's direction. When Donald turns and asks, "David, who do you think I should fire?" David should be quick and decisive to point out the shortcomings of another person. Accusations of weakness are countered with a defense of competency. The volume level begins to rise and before Donald intervenes to quiet down the emotional volcano, three or four people are all talking at the same time. These vocal exchanges of frailties and mistakes cause deep wedges of mistrust and disloyalty.

Taking responsibility for losing, is a sign of weakness on The Apprentice. Taking credit for a team victory is a sign of leadership in the board room of the Trump Tower. The winning team celebrates with hand shakes and pats on the back while a member of the losing team hears those words of doom - "You're fired!" No one like to lose, but blame-shifting and dodging the responsibilities of decision making are not honorable characteristics of good leadership. The stressful times experienced in Donald Trump's board room do not develop character but rather reveal it.

I know its just a reality show - but how close is it to reality?

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