"Surviving" the Corporate Game

Enter wearing "Survivor" gear and carrying torch while "Ancient Voices" (Survivor theme music) plays.

Introduction

On Survivor--Fire Represents Life!
In the Corporate World--Electricity Represents Fire, Which Represents Life!
Now if we can just explain that to PG & E!

Today I want to share with you the

Top 10 Lessons Survivor Can Teach Us About Playing the Corporate Game

• #10 To Play by the Rules, You Must Know What the Rules Are! (Pagong Tribe)
  
  We're often advised "Make Sure You're on the Same Page", but the first Survivor teams were not even in the same book! They had very different interpretation of the Survivor rules and what they considered "fair play". Beware of assumptions. Be sure your business partners are "speaking the same language". Communicate! Discuss, understand, and agree to the rules of any "game" you decide to play.
  
  
• #9 You Can't Blame It All on the Editing! (Jerri)
  
  Many Survivor contestants claim they're not really the way they were portrayed on the show. Kelly, member of "evil" Tagi Alliance, said, "We're not evil-we just play bad people on tv." But editors need raw footage to work with. Jerri, the woman we loved to hate, has never adequately explained why her own tribe mates risked their own positions to vote her off--without the benefit of any CBS editing! Be careful how you act in any situation; your true personality will eventually show.
  
  
• #8 Be Yourself, but Adapt! (Rudy vs. BB)
  
  On the original Survivor, the two oldest contestants arrived on the island barking orders. BB continued to boss and criticize his "lazy" younger tribe mates. He was the first voted out of his tribe. Rudy, on the other hand, quickly realized that military approach wouldn't work with the "MTV" generation. While still noted for his "crusty" comments, he modified his behavior enough to win third place. You can be flexible and adjust to the environment without compromising your uniqueness.
  
  
• #7 Jump Off That Cliff! (Rodger)
  
  One of Survivor 2's more inspirational moments was when Rodger overcame both his fear of heights and lack of swimming ability and bravely jumped off the cliff because he didn't want to let his team down. Face your fears and take calculated personal risks for yourself and the team.
  
  
• #6 Don't Build Your Camp in a Dry Riverbed! (Barramundi Tribe)
  
  Or at least have enough sense to move it once the water starts to rise! We've all heard the classic stock market advice--Diversify your portfolio! Yet how many of us heeded it well enough to "survive" the current bear market? Don't take unnecessary risks; don't ignore warning signs. Use common sense!
  
  
• #5 Learn to Fish! (Richard, Rodger vs. Nick)
  
  Nick said, "I've never fished before, and I'm not about to start now." He was gone that night! Providers tend to stay around longer, whether on Survivor or in the corporate world. Figure out which job skills are indispensable; learn them; use them.
  
  
• #4 Don't Tell the Cook How to Make the Rice! (Joel, Jerri)

  A friend likes to tell his critics--"I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it!" Amazing how many Survivors had the audacity to sit there doing absolutely nothing but critiquing their team mates work efforts. Don't criticize others or offer unsolicited advice, especially if you're not willing to do the actual work yourself.
  
  

• #3 Alliances Are Crucial! (Tagi Alliance)
  
  Kelly, part of the infamous Tagi Alliance, said of the other team's reluctance to form alliances: "If they wanted to make friends, they should have gone to summer camp." Call it networking, mentoring, or team building; alliances do improve the chances for success.
  
  
• #2There Is More Than One Way to Win! (Rich/Tina vs. Kelly/Colby)
  
  In both Survivors, one contestant dominated challenges near the end-yet neither won the million! Physical and mental prowess is important, but game strategy and people skills are even more so! To win, utilize your own unique personal strengths and always keep the ultimate goal in mind.
  
  And the Number One Lesson Survivor Can Teach Us About Playing the Corporate "Game":
  
  
• #1 Getting "Voted Off the Island" Isn't the End of the World (All-except Rich & Tina)
  
  It's just the beginning! Most Survivors enjoy the "fifteen minutes of fame" they experience after they've "lost"! Whether you're "voted off" the corporate "island" through getting fired, laid off, or voluntary retirement--view the event simply as a different phase of your career. Enjoy the adventure itself and seize the new opportunities that arise once the "game" is over.
  
  

CONCLUSION

Remember these ten valuable Survivor lessons and diligently apply them to your career. For now,

(Put hat back on & lift torch)

The Tribe has spoken!

Top Ten Summary  Misc.Survivor Lessons  TM Speech Topics  Hobby Page  Home Page