New Ladder To Success

This week, Trump met the 13 remaining candidates.  Along side Trump were Carolyn, Bill and two executives from Norwegian Cruise Line, on board the Norwegian Jewel.

TEAM SYNERGY:  Allie, Sean, Tammy Pepi, Andrea, Roxanne (project manager), Brent, Stacy and Michael.

TEAM GOLD RUSH: Tarek, Dan (project manager), Bryce, Charmaine, Leslie, Theresa, Lee, Summer and Lenny.

THE ASSIGNMENT: Trump explained the cruise line industry is a ten billion a year business. This time both teams were to make a thirty second commercial for Norwegian Cruise Line. The aim was to promote its, Freestyle Cruising Option, that allows schedule-less access to food and entertainment services. Two executives from Norwegian Cruise Line would judge the results. The "most original" concept would win the task.

THE WINNING TEAM:   Synergy

FIRED CANDIDATE: Dan

LESSON LEARNED:

1) Handling confrontation

In the Boardroom last week, Roxanne praised Tammy as a better Project Manager than Andrea. Andrea immediately confronted Roxanne about her comment.  Instead of being intimidated by Andrea, Roxanne calmly stated that she didn’t say Andrea was bad, just that Tammy was better. In addition, Donald Trum asked Roxanne who was a better project manager, so she gave her direct opinion. Good job in handling that situation, Roxanne.

Later, Roxanne felt Andrea and Tammy didn’t give her the support which she had given them when they were the project manager. Again, she was matter-of-fact, and no major dispute erupted.

Rudeness will not earn you respect, but steadfast vigor will.

2) The greater the risk, the greater the reward

Synergy employed Norwegian Cruise Line's theme of 'freestyle cruising' in their commercial. They decided to contrast a traditionally scheduled cruise with Norwegian’s freestyle idea. Synergy got their reward when they won the challenge. Each team member took home a diamond.

3) People will challenge your leadership

Roxanne was the project manager for Synergy, and her teammates immediately jumped in and assessed her for her leadership ability. Some commented Roxanne was a little more lax in her leadership style, seemed unorganized, unable to delegate tasks, etc.

When you are new to a leadership role, you will most likely encounter a similar situation where your subordinates question your ability and authority. The best way to handle this is to focus on your goal and maintain your vision. By leading your team down the path of success, you will eliminate any reservations.

4) Teamwork! Teamwork! Can we all work together?

It’s hard to believe anyone would complain about doing nothing, but people do. When a group of type-A personalities becomes committed to a project, and its success means  lucrative employment, all logic goes out of the window.  Gold Rush’s project manager, Dan, failed to involve his teammates in the task, so many complained about being under-utilized. To quiet the voices of the unsettled benchwarmers, you need a plan. Even a simple approach of informing the team how the current task doesn’t require everyone’s involvement, could set everyone’s mind at ease. Remember, people like to be included; try keeping everyone in the loop. The added bonus is that you will work less.  That is working smart.

5) Don’t bicker like a group of ten-year-olds in front of your potential boss

Not to mention a television camera! When Gold Rush was brought into the boardroom, a shouting match between Leslie, Lee, and Lenny against Dan and Tarek broke out in front of everyone. Basically, everyone was pointing fingers. The yelling got so loud, you could barely hear what they were saying, ultimately prompted Carolyn to say they were "acting like 10-year-olds." Foolish? Absolutely!

Trump's Lesson of the Week: “Listen to the People”

No matter how tough or smart you are, you need to have the ability to listen to the people who work for you. There are many great ideas that can come from the subordinates, if you give them a change to share them. Trump advises you hire smart people and then listen to what they say.

Related links:    The Apprentice on NBC, The Apprentice on SirLinksalot.net and The Apprentice Rules