By Debbie Depp
Who would have thought? From the supermarket check-out line to the corporate water cooler, the kaleidoscope of behavior of 16 island castaways has been the hot topic of conversation. Across America people were riveted to their TV's, captivated by this summer's media phenomenon.
As we know by now, "Survivor" was about stranding a disparate group of strangers in some isolated way station and snooping on them as they compete to eliminate one another. Divided into two tribes, they were forced to build shelter, find food and create their own cooperative society.
Each week, after physical and mental competitions, one of the castaways was voted off the island, with the last one standing winning some big monetary prize.
The fact that 58 million people actually tuned in to "Survivor" to watch ordinary people ruthlessly back-stab each other just for the sake of $1 million - and enjoy it- is astounding. It also says quite a lot about today's popular culture.
What began as a 13-week attempt by CBS to generate some ratings heat amid summer reruns surprised almost everyone by becoming not only the most watched summer series ever, but also a cultural icon.
Fans obsessed over each episode on Survivor-themed Websites; Survivor party plans rivaled those of the Super Bowl; while "the tribe has spoken" became the latest cultural catchphrase.
Some say the show was brilliant. Others say it was a blemish on America . But in the end the incredible casting, brilliant editing, and overall amazing production proved nothing short of infectious.
While Survivor polarized its audience, it also captured much of what is the essence of our Darwinian culture.
Ironically, although the contestants knew the outcome of the show, there seemed to be a sense of ethics and the secret was well kept. Everyone wanted to be part of something successful.
In the past decade many companies have boosted profits by cutting costs, upgrading technology, and acquiring or merging with existing companies - everything but selling more products.
In fact, the Gross Domestic Product has dramatically declined from the robust 10% per year boom in the 70's to an average annualized rate of 5% in the 90's.
A lot of these things that we've done to boost profits in the 90's were one-time events. Once you cut your organization down to the bone or add five computers for every person, you create a good boost to profits.
As we enter the new millennium, the workplace has become a roller coaster for many. In a recent Gallup survey, workers sited the following situations they've personally experienced in the past five years:
- 69% reengineering or reorganization;
- 44% merger or acquisition;
- 39% downsizing or layoffs;
- 24% declining sales or profits.
No wonder this is a country where there's a national institute for stress management!
A corporate trainer and ultimate winner, Richard Hatch, was true to himself. As a man with a mission, he revealed upfront what he was going to do. He reminded teammates that Survivor was a game - a game you're supposed to play to win.
In fact, a CBS poll revealed that although most Americans said they'd been rooting against him, most also admitted that he played by the rules...fair and square. As in the workplace, you don't have to agree with the rules, but you do have to understand them to survive.
Clever editing created situational behaviors of conflict, anger, resentment, betrayal, and stress. In many ways, TV's Survivor was the embodiment of today's workplace.
The contestants had to utilize hard and soft skills to forge alliances. No one could win alone. Richard just proved to be more strategic.
To some observers he was a man playing chess among people playing checkers.
It reminds me of last year's NFL match-up between Kansas City and New England . The Patriots were on a winning streak. But the Chiefs knew exactly what they needed to do to win and mapped out a strategy:
- Run the ball successfully
- Control the clock.
- Knock Drew Bledsoe down consistently.
The Chiefs executed their strategy flawlessly. When it was over the Patriots left Arrowhead Stadium so thoroughly defeated, their season collapsing in its wake.
Was Richard Hatch's seemingly amoral persona merely a press creation or, like the Chiefs, did he too have a winning strategy? For those who perceived Richard as cunning, cocky, Machiavellian, and manipulative, his victory was stunning.
But for those who know him well, he is a warm, humorous, fun guy to be around. His post-show comments to the other contestants displayed thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit.
With his riches in hand, Survivor Hatch says he plans to start an adventure program for troubled teens. He'll also be busy fielding a steady stream of commercial offers aimed at exploiting his new-found celebrity status. Despite all this, Hatch says he plans to keep his day job.
Regardless of what he eventually does the perception of Richard Hatch by millions of television viewers has been cast...and in this media age, perception is reality.
The "Survivor" producers amused the audience with red herrings and shaping the contestants behavior, dramatically effective but unfair to the people being shaped.
Once at home, contestants had to deal with what their fellow castaways said behind their backs. As the show's host prophetically declared, "Surviving human politics is what this game's about." Sound familiar?
"Survivor" was a stripped down microcosm of corporate America , a capitalistic game in which nice guys - people who don't calculate and conspire - probably finish last.
As The Boston Globe pointed out, "We don't like to think the dog-eat-dog viewpoint is true, but, well, no one is going to argue that Bill Gates, Sumner Redstone, or David Geffen built their empires solely on an alphabetical theory."
In Richard Hatch's own unique way he provided us with predictability. As a formidable competitor, he was able to avoid pitfalls, overcome obstacles and relate to his team because he had a plan with a desired outcome. One of his first acts was to argue for an organizational meeting, because he knew he would have to work the group in an orderly fashion.
Consistently wearing a proud, unremorseful face, he formed bonds and made small tactical decisions always with an eye to the future. During one immunity challenge Richard dropped out, knowing if Rudy won, he would honor their pact. Finally, the two remaining survivors faced a jury of the seven competitors most recently eliminated.
Rich plotted only strategic interactions, while his fellow castaways conducted conversations and made friendships. Ultimately he prevailed because he convinced the jury of his peers that there was indeed a warped integrity behind his constant machinations.
Sheer brainpower and academic breadth are good, but not good enough. Assembling convenient coalitions, finding consensus, and building bridges coupled with cunning, adaptability and strategic planning are far better in the campaign ahead.
Change is a threat when it's done to us; it's an opportunity when done by us. Learn to control it to your advantage. You don't operate in a vacuum. Other people play vital roles in your life and you can't succeed unless you can manage your relationships in a way that moves you toward your goals. In business, friendship without results is no winning edge.
To avoid being a castaway here are ten key skills for corporate survival:
- Ask the right questions
- Develop strong communication abilities
- Help others get what they want
- Focus on the desired outcome
- Embrace change as an opportunity
- Balance work and life values
- Be an exemplar for high standards
- Share credit and accept accountability
- Never lose your passion
- To thine own self be true
In the end, with such high ratings, I think the show's real winners were CBS and its sponsors.
Enough said.
However, in the corporate game, leaders won't need "immunity idols," but those who display the most formidable and flexible survival skills will enjoy a distinct advantage.
When the corporate tribe has spoken, will your career strategy make you a survivor?
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