Reality TV is educational
Ever since I used an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians to input into a work discussion about a helicopter landing site, I've realised that far from being trash, reality TV can be quite educational.
Hear me out, I'm not suggesting that I can go and deliver a baby after watching an episode of One Born Every Minute. But I've come to notice that even the most random of shows have lessons in them.
I've been bingeing Below Deck (the original, the Mediterranean one, the one on a sailing boat - you name it, I've watched it). Every episode shines a spotlight on leadership and teamwork... from the Captain who gets involved in every little decision, stifling their deputies, to the Chief Stew who tells her team members that their actions reflect badly on her.
You see the different approaches to tackling poor performance. From nurturing and teaching to shouting and blaming.
As a viewer you can immediately see how individuals react to the different leadership and management styles. How a crew member can be putty in the hand of one person and a crumbling wreck following a conversation with someone else.
How a right or wrong word, (re)action or body language can have a ripple effect across the team.
The show is full of talking points between me and my husband as we discuss how one issue or another is being handled, both reflecting on how we might tackle things if we were in that situation.
And then let's talk about The Apprentice! Now, I haven't watched this for a few years but have found myself tuning in to the latest series despite the heckles it raises in me. I mean this show is dishing out the lessons, but not in ANY way I'd want to emulate.
The top three things that irritate me:
the overuse of power dressing and all looking the same - where's the personality? And bravo if you can run around in 4inch heels.
promoting an over-work culture. Getting called at 4.30am in the morning with 30mins to get ready and then long-assed days. Talk about encouraging the burn-out!
why don't any of the 'judges' ever smile when the candidates enter a room? Have they all been given a memo to look mean and moody?! Where's the empathy. Why can't they help put the candidates at ease?
(sorry I couldn't limit myself to 3 points!) I get its a competition but we don't need more leaders with cut-throat attitudes and sharp elbows. It is possible to succeed and be nice! I'd love to see more engaging and collaborative leaders on this show, I know they're out there.
As you can tell these shows get me thinking and feeling a lot. They are far from the mind-numbing switch-off shows they make out to be.