Real Millionaire Survivor Sharks of Beverly Hills

Years ago when CBS’s Survivor was still in its infancy, I recall hearing an outlandish prediction that there would be half a dozen cable channels devoted to reality programming.  That outlandish prediction has become reality.  Many of these shows reveal the underbelly of society. Outrageous behavior, back-stabbing, and deception are at the forefront of these shows, and fuel their continued success.  Can we find a positive message from these programs? 

Introducing the CDW Career-Reality Awards!

Award for Timing & Promotion: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

These ladies are savvy enough to understand that their moment on the small screen may be short.  They are using every season to promote restaurants, books, shoes, and skin products.  You may not be pitching a book deal, but you may be asking for a pay raise or pitching an idea for a pet project.  The time to ask is just after you have done a tremendous job on a key project or sealed a big deal. Ask before the glow of success has faded.

Award for Interpersonal Relations: Survivor

This is the ultimate example of choosing your alliances wisely and maintaining interpersonal relations.  In the workplace, you’re often in a spot to align with one person or another.  Being able to carefully navigate among all parties with diplomacy is an art.

Award for Sound Business Advice: Shark Tank 

This is the quintessential show for business school wannabes.  Where else can you get a lively lesson on proper valuation, market acceptance, and deal-making?  Viewers have learned this lesson from the Sharks. For goodness sake, don’t come to the Sharks unless you know your numbers!  You can certainly apply that lesson in the workplace.

Award for Candid Advice: The Millionaire Matchmaker

Nobody gives honest criticism like Patti Stanger.  Too many times in our careers, our friends and family don’t have the courage to tell us that we need a makeover or that our résumé stinks. We all need a mentor to give us advice that may sting a bit, but will push us to be better.

I hope that you had fun with the CDW Career-Reality Awards.   We can find positive aspects to almost anything!  If you are looking to enhance your career, contact me.  Maybe I can’t help you become a real millionaire survivor of Beverly Hills, but I can assist you in finding your next opportunity, take your career to a new level, or manage a career transition! Thank you for playing! Until next time…