'The Apprentice' critiqued by Impact Factory experts
You're fired!
The final insult after a long and arduous task delivered by a man whose name belies his nature. Alan Sugar was far from sweet and his apprentices were well aware of that fact. They also knew that only one brave and capable soul would survive the gruelling and sometimes humiliating tests that he set for them.
What was he really testing them for- how well they could succeed or how they coped when they didn't succeed. This seemed to be the real test of their character.
At Impact Factory we took a keen interest in the outcome of this programme. It probably won't surprise many of you to know that Jo Ellen predicted the winner at the beginning. Yes, spotted Tim right off the bat as the likely victor.
How did she do it, we all wondered? Well, years of experience and awareness around what makes a good manager/leader helped. She was also well aware of the contrast effect. Compared to the other candidates he shone. While the other candidates indulged in rather unattractive behaviour; blaming, passing the buck and mud slinging, he quietly went about his business. A few of us didn't think that he would survive; he just didn't seem as edgy as the others. We did wonder, though, if Tim was helped by his BSc in Psychology and a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Diploma? I think so.
It was a great acknowledgement of what it really does take to make it in the business world. While 'mud slinging' makes good telly, it doesn't really cut it in the boardroom. So in the end, Alan went for what he needed not what the viewers seemed to want.
Many of us at Impact Factory were among the viewers who were glued to our TV's waiting for those famous words. As prime time telly, it was the best. As a demonstration of how to get ahead in the business world, it was primo. It would be hard to find a better case for modelling leadership behaviour – the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Can't wait for the next instalment – well done Alan!
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Communication and Presentation Skills Training
