Performance Strategies: Lessons from "The Apprentice"

I've been following this show since it started. I actually sent in an application for season 2 but got nowhere. I would have continued applying for subsequent seasons but by then I was already committed to other lucrative projects. That aside, I'm a fan of the show not so much because I might feel I could have done "that" but because of the contestant interactions and reactions. So I discovered a few lessons we can all take away;

1. Be people centered... Nearly everthing is done people-to-people. Most people don't care about you till you show them you care about them.
2. Proact don't react... It's better to have a good plan starting out of the gate rather than try and fix a bad one on the fly. If things go astray simply adapt and more on.
   
3. Earn respect, don't demand it... If you deserve it you will earn it.
4. Act when you are 80% ready... Nothing happens while waiting for things to be perfect.
5. Surround yourself with greatness... Accept that you don't know it all and get the best people working with you.
6. Be decisive and firm... No one follows uncertainty too far.
7. Be accountable... Never blame others. No one really cares anyways if you do. Stop whining.
   
8. Give credit... Share the limelight with those involved.
9. Learn from every experience... If you did not learn something you're not really involved in the process.

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Performance Strategies: Lessons from "American Idol"

Watching American Idol I couldn't help but think about all those people who tried and failed. I don't mean the ones who actually made it onto the show as contestants. In fact those people succeeded albeit all at different levels. I also don't include those people who were not serious from the start. No, I mean those people who had the dreams, desires and aspirations for greatness. Those who worked so very hard to make it but fell short. Their reactions fell into two categories; those who gave up on their dream and those who did not. We are all challenged with roadblocks. Those who ultimately succeed do so because they persevere in spite of the setbacks.