Celebrity Apprentice: Lessons Learned from Episode 2

Episode Summary:

The teams created 30-second television commercials for Pedigree dog food - but with a twist. The commercials had to trumpet the message that Pedigree actively supports dog adoptions through the Pedigree Dog Adoption Drive. The winning commercial would be chosen by Pedigree’s VP of marketing, Rob Leibowitz, who would award $20,000 to the winning project manager’s charity of choice.

Empresario, the women’s team, picked Nely as their project manager because of her vast experience as a television exec. The all-male Hydra team picked Gene because of his powerful contribution last week.

The team leaders took very different tacks. Nely led the women in a new age ritual to get them centered on doing something great for animals. At Hydra, Gene said that he was going to be a dictator. (“I see the big picture . . . I’m ruthless . . . I’ll fire anybody, even Donald Trump.”)

The women’s commercial showed three dogs getting happily adopted. The men’s spot showcased heavyweight champ Lenox Lewis - tough but tender - lavishing love on just one cute little dog. Rob from Pedigree loved the men’s commercial and named it the winner.

In the boardroom, Mr. Trump put the heat on Nely for creating an unfocused commercial that didn’t capitalize on her team members’ fame. But he fired Nadia for failing to bring any competitive fire to the project.

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This week’s episode taught vital lessons about how leaders get great results from teams. Let’s take a closer look.

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When Empresario picked Nely to lead their task, they opted for someone with tremendous experience in television. Good idea! Then they let Marilu, with her major acting career, direct and coach the actors. Right again! But they never capitalized on the other team members’ strengths.

Success Lesson

Picking the best leader doesn’t always guarantee a win. You’re more likely to cross the finish line first if everyone contributes.

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When Nely asked Rob to lay out exactly what he wanted to see in the winning commercial, he spelled it all out for her. All they had to do was deliver what he asked for.

Success Lesson

Go to the decision-maker. Why try to second-guess what an important boss, customer or client wants? Just ask, find out - and then deliver.

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When Omarosa decided to cover her back by staying out of creative planning, she was thinking politically. If she couldn’t get blamed for a losing concept, she reasoned, she couldn’t get fired. Her strategy worked and she didn’t get fired - but she also disappeared from sight. 

Success Lesson

Sabotaging your own team is a bad career strategy. It might let you survive until tomorrow. But in the long run, it will only cripple your chances of success.

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When Nadia agreed to order food for her team and their crew - and do nothing more - she was taking a menial job unsuited for someone with her gold-medal credentials.

Success Lesson

Don’t let your leader smother you. Step out, stand up and fight for the responsibilities that let you shine.

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When the men put Lenox Lewis center-stage in their ad, they were delivering exactly what Mr. Trump asked for last week. Celebrity! Meanwhile, the women hid their fame and lost.

Success Lesson

Give decision-makers exactly what they ask for - even if you think you know better. Doing anything else only invites failure.

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Because the women decided to tell the stories of three dogs, they ended up a cluttered, losing ad. The men focused on just one pet and one celebrity owner - and won the day.

Success Lesson

Simpler is smarter. Over-thinking and over-complicating will never get you to the top.

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What will happen next week? Gene is poised for a fall after alienating his team and making sexist, rude comments to Ivanka. On the women’s side, some very strong contenders like Jenny and Carol have yet to show their strengths. We’re ready for another great week! See you there.