Sure, reality TV is easy-watching fodder, but some shows actually offer lessons for business—and not just the business-related shows.
Here’s a rundown of some of the popular shows and the lessons viewers can learn from them.
By Margot Carmichael Lester
LESSON 1: Listen to advice and make better decisions.
SHOW: “American Idol”
Atlanta-based business and life coach Dr. Cherry Collier says this show is a microcosm of real life. “We will always have the Paulas who lie to our faces and know that we aren’t good, but haven’t learned the value of giving great feedback to help us improve; the Randys, those who tell it like it is at times, but fall short of giving us the real nugget to improve; and, of course, the Simons, who really challenge us to dig down deep and pull out all we have. They are also bold enough to tell us that they don’t like us to our faces,” she says. “This lesson of truth allows us to decide if we want to keep going—knowing that not everyone likes us. The power of feedback gives us choice.”
LESSON 2: Work with those who deliver.
SHOW: “The Apprentice,” Season 1
Troy McClain learned a lot during his time on “The Apprentice,” but one of the enduring lessons involved choosing team members. “The most common mistake contestants make is joining the wrong team based on promises that can’t be backed up,” says the Boise-based McClain, who was fired in unlucky week 13 of the show. “In reality TV, you learn to quickly judge a person on their performance and not their promises. This is a great lesson in business as well.” Today, McClain is hosting syndicated TV shows and serving on the board of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
LESSON 3: Ask for what you’re worth.
SHOW: “Gene Simmons: Family Jewels”
“It took a rock star-turned-reality show star to show me that it’s okay to use my gifts to reap rewards financially,” says Toren Anderson, owner of a media relations company just outside Atlanta. Though not a member of the KISS Army, she’s definitely a fan of Simmons’ business acumen. “He has a disarming, brilliant and matter-of-fact way of letting everyone know he is in it to be profitable. I find it refreshing to see someone so honest and up front about his ambition and prosperity,” she says. “As far as having priorities clearly laid out, working with passion and asking a fair wage, he is the man. Now I know it’s better to cut it loose and move on. My income has improved now that I have permission to ask for what I am worth, much in part thanks to Gene.”
LESSON 4: Be in the game, but don’t play games.
SHOW: “Project Runway,” Season 2
In the dog-eat-dog world of business and reality TV, it’s easy to bite back. But Nick Verreos, an L.A.-based designer and fashion instructor, says playing nice is better. “We had to design, cut, sew and create a gown in eight hours. Ridiculous,” he says of his experience on the show. “Probably the most important lesson is to stay focused. Try not to get totally immersed in the drama, but you still must be present. You can’t be invisible, otherwise no one will remember you. You can’t be boring, but you don’t have to be mean, vindictive or evil. Nice will last you longer.”
LESSON 5: Listening is leading.
SHOW: “Survivor: Fiji”
Mookie Lee was voted off the island on the 11th episode of “Survivor: Fiji,” in part because of an alliance that backfired. “Every player has their own agenda, but if you can motivate everyone to work toward the same goal, it makes the team—and everyone that’s a part of it—that much stronger,” says the Chicago resident. But how? “So many people try to force their ideas upon others without listening to what everyone else is saying. On ‘Survivor,’ this could be successful or not. But in the business world, those who don’t listen to the advice, opinions or needs of others are setting themselves up for certain failure. Personally, I’ve been able to bring these lessons back to the business world, and they’ve helped me work more effectively.”
LESSON 6: Be prepared.
SHOW: “Top Chef,” Season 3
“I got the sense from watching Casey, one of the three finalists, that she hadn’t prepared herself thoroughly for the finale,” says Lisa Drake, a CPA and accounting professor at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Calif. “I think she was waiting to get there to be inspired, and then let nerves get the better of her. We weren’t privy to her thought process along the way, but we did see the wheels come off while she was cooking. Then she started to disintegrate and, what’s worse, she started to whine and make excuses. By contrast, another finalist, Dale, had an entire dish flop, yet made a stunning recovery because he had a Plan B. What you do is act the consummate professional with no excuses, take full responsibility, and when you are done taking whatever criticism there is, you assess what you can from the situation.”
So the next time you’re about to lament that there’s nothing on but reality TV shows, sit back, relax and tune in. You might just learn something you can use at the office tomorrow.
