The Leadership Blog by Ann Vanino

I recently had the opportunity to be a guest on Tom Floyd’s “Insight on Coaching” internet radio show. Also on the show were Troy McClain from the first season of The Apprentice and Elizabeth Jarosz from the second season of the show. It was a lively conversation. It showed me that for the contestants on the show and its viewers the learning keeps on going. The Apprentice deals with issues we all face at work. Troy spoke about the intensity of the time limits when he was performing tasks on the show. He learned that under intense time pressure, little bumps become grave errors. He also learned to work with adversity. Elizabeth said that she learned that when leading a team, you need to find a cause bigger than yourself to rally the group. They learned and we learned from watching them.

The final competition between Trace and Piers was set up as good versus evil, aggressive versus nice, dollars versus heart. As if success in business is about choosing between the two. Trump says he loves a good fight and this set-up appeared to delight him. It’s an interesting contrast, but it’s a false choice. It made both contestants uncomfortable-Piers saying I’m being set up as evil and Trace uncomfortable as the dollars added up and the heavy weights turned out for Piers. It provides entertainment and good discussion, but too much intensity either way is what’s wrong with business. Our business world needs balance. We need to take everyone’s strengths and work together-not pit one’s strengths against another’s weaknesses. If we embrace what every individual has to offer and wok together, we’ll have a more productive business environment. How about we change the face of business by bringing values and the dollar together?

Trump says it’s now down to a competition between good and evil. Good and evil. What are the defining lines in business? With the competition down to Trace and Piers, it’s not so clear. Piers produces with harsh tactics. People think he’s mean. He’s smart, has confidence and is driven. Trace has style, character, smarts and is determined to “conclude with my integrity intact”. What’s more important – integrity, performance and style or ruthless drive that delivers? This question plays itself out in business every day around the world. How you choose to go about your business may determine your success. What do you value? Do you deliver? What is “over the line” for you?

It’s down to it. Who will win-Trace or Piers? And what will the winner tell you about business “Trump style”?

The task for this episode: in 4 hours create and sell the most Quiznos sandwiches and do it without your rolodex. The results were revealing. Left to their own skills without their contacts, some were at a loss. Piers seemed to hate hawking flyers on the street and being ignored by “rude” (his word) New Yorkers. Lennox didn’t seem to lead as PM – he fell back on his celebrity. Carol pitched in and designed fliers. Trace and Stephen were dedicated to the task, but lost. It didn’t seem like anyone was having fun. Was it the change of focus? Doing things they weren’t used to? Being cut off from their networks?

It’s down to the final four now that Stephen is gone. Not a bad team. Will Piers continue to exhibit his ego? Will Lennox have what it takes? Can Carol do it? Will Trace quietly prevail? We’ll see.

Piers is a predator. He won. Omarosa let it get personal and he went for the jugular. He said this is personal, not business. Throughout the episode he was focused on revenge. He blew Omarosa’s team away – the “greatest victory on The Apprentice” according to Trump. Trump played up the conflict – that’s Hollywood, but also a bit of business too. I’ve run into predators-obvious ones and quiet ones. They exist. They are part of the game. Better be ready for them.
How about the kiss? Trace wasn’t happy. I don’t blame him. That was predatory.