The Apprentice: Weekly Performance Review, Episode 3 – What are the Odds?

VersaCorp:

Nick (9-2): Another good job by you this week, although you had a tendency to stop and argue with Sam. You should know by now that such arguments are pointless, and avoid them. It was also your idea to get the team to buy gold earlier in the day. It was Sam that blew it up into a huge mess, but you seemed inordinately proud of the idea and then distanced yourself when it exploded.

Bill (7-1): One thing I’ve noticed about you is you are able to do a lot with a little. Despite bad leadership the last two weeks, you’ve taken the ball and run with it, to continue Sam’s bad sports cliches. This gives you high marks in an important skill – “works well with little supervision.” I’m curious to see how you will do as Project Manager.

Troy (7-1): Another important aspect of leadership is leading by example. I doubt that there will be a bigger instance of leadership by example than your willingness to submit to the leg wax. That hurt just watching it. One reader asked me if it was necessary for YOU to actually get your legs waxed. Could you have bought a gift certificate instead? The rules might have stated otherwise, but we don’t know at this point. Finally, you once again showed true leadership by helping calm Sam down. Now that he’s gone, can you find a new way to stand out? I’d bet on it. And I’d probably give better odds.

Kwame (8-1): The only complaint I have is that you were very quick to blame Sam. It’s a fine line managers have to walk between keeping their bosses informed and being “tattletales.” Some bosses like to know everything, though. And you performed well in the challenge, so I really can’t say that you should have really been one of the three in the boardroom. Finally, while this may seem at odds with the earlier advice, putting all your cards on the table and saying, “If you want to fire me for not respecting Sam, then fire me,” definitely earned you some respect.

Bowie (15-1): Like everyone but Sam, you acquitted yourself well in the challenge. I was most impressed with your sprinting down the street at the end. As a large man, it would have been easy to lag behind and catch up later. Getting around your limitations is another important aspect of a good manager. As is integrity; unlike Sam, you demanded that he know that he had your respect.

Sam (no odds, fired): Oh, Sam. You got a second chance, and didn’t take advantage of it. Your big success this week (splitting the team into research and field teams) was mitigated by your own bungling and interference. You were a spectacular failure, as Bowie said, both as a leader and a follower. Even after you were fired, you still didn’t understand Trump’s message to you: he wanted you to show him everything you had, win or lose. You did that, and it confirmed that you needed to go, and right now. (If you missed it, you can click here to read our interview with Sam and see what he thinks.)

Apprentice fans, take note: this week's episode will be on Thursday, January 29, at 9:00 Eastern time.

Mike DeGeorge has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, and over 10 years of real-world management experience. Email Mike at mikmaria@charter.net.

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