Lessons Learned

• Trust, camaraderie, respect and fun are necessary for high-performing teams.
  • Last week, Arrow spent their time and attention on the negative energy generated by a difficult personality. Now that the team is rid of the disruptive force that was infecting them, they were able to focus on winning with creative collaboration.
• Always take the chance to prove yourself.
  • After fighting hard to stay alive last week in the boardroom, James took Frank's advice and volunteered as project manager this week. He said it was his chance to step up, figuring it was a make-or-break moment. He could prove that he deserved his chance to stay or he would lose and go home. Because his teammates may have doubted his abilities, James wisely chose to take a leadership role to prove his skills.
• Set priorities for your focus as the leader.
  • For Kristine to leave the set to accompany Angela on a lipstick-buying errand was ridiculous. Her focus should have been the production. (Can anyone explain to me why it takes two women to buy lipstick?) Leaders need to keep their eye on the big picture and not get sidetracked micromanaging details easily delegated to others.
• Be willing to listen.
  • When James realized some of his teammates knew more than he did about the process of making a film, he chose to rely on their expertise. He took Nicole's advice about filming close-ups and Tim's advice about the musical soundtrack.
• But never listen to anyone who says it can't be done.
  • Arnold's pearls of empowerment wisdom: " He also noted that pain is "temporary," but what is on film is "permanent." That seemed to particularly motivate Nicole around wanting to work for Trump. She may be put to the test next week when Trump reorganizes the teams and she is pitted against her new boyfriend, Tim. In the end, there will be only one Apprentice.
• On the other hand, don't interrupt just to hear yourself talk.
  • When Kinetic's team members were brainstorming about their webisode, Muna questioned every idea, constantly interrupting the flow of ideas and irritating her teammates who were legitimately trying to envision a plan. As part of a team, work toward the goal. Don't slow down the game.
• Don't abdicate the throne.
  • As a leader, either manage a disruptive employee or risk being managed by them. Difficult personalities are a reality of the workplace. Effective leaders manage difficult people, or, if they prove themselves unmanageable, reassign or get rid of them. If you have someone who is poisoning your team, deal with him or her. Kristine had several options with Muna. She could have taken Muna aside and had a candid conversation while setting clear expectations. She could have used her authority and been more emphatic about her assessment and confidence in Muna's ability to manage the details behind the scenes. At a minimum, she should have screen-tested Muna's acting ability (now there's a concept). Instead, Kristine acquiesced in her authority.
• Don't waste time.
  • Yes, details are important. But on a task that has to be turned around in such a short time, realize that there are some elements that are more important than others. Don't bog your team down in something that can be such a small part of the big picture. Tim micromanaged the music bed for the webisode, driving his teammates nuts as he spent a great deal of time on one small piece of the soundtrack. Even if you're in charge, check your ego at the door if there's someone who is more knowledgeable than you are on a certain aspect of a project. It can be risky, but in James' case, it paid off
• Be sensitive to religion in the workplace.
  • When it comes to religion and deeply held personal values, being respectful is very important. Be cautious and aware of how you affect others with religious statements (watch out for being perceived as overly righteous or intolerant of other's beliefs). Muna refused to "use the Lord's name in vain" -- one of the lines in her script. She might have approached this more diplomatically with her teammates by noting that some audience members or their sponsor Dial might have a problem with this scripting and then offer another way to word it.
• Know your opponent.
  • While steeling herself for the boardroom Kristine, who was pretty sure she would have to defend herself, prepared by reading one of Mr. Trump's books. By reading up on Mr. Trump's philosophies and business theories, Kristine was prepared for what was thrown at her in the boardroom. No doubt her homework helped her remain calm and helped her keep her job.
• Be decisive.
  • In her attempt to be neutral, Heidi waffled in the boardroom when Trump questioned her about who should be fired. She is lucky he didn't fire her for being wishy-washy. Trump isn't likely to hire someone he deems indecisive. Leaders need to make tough decisions, and followers want leaders who can make decisions. There are few things in the workplace more frustrating than trying to follow someone who can't make a decision!