This past fall season has seen a TV ratings war between the King of Manhattan real estate, Donald Trump, and the mildly eccentric (superficially) Sir Richard Branson. Trump had a second season of his show The Apprentice whilst Branson launched his copycat show Rebel Billionaire.
What was most interesting to watch was the very obvious difference in styles. Trump seems to breed confrontation and his organization is very hierarchical.A hierarchy reinforced with the trappings of power. The final two contestants got to boss around former colleagues whilst they were driven in a chauffeured Maybach limousine and their lackies followed behind in a minivan. Trump dismisses the losers with his punch line "You're Fired!" The entire season was filled with bickering, Machiavellian intrigue and outright bitchiness amongst the colleagues - particularly the women.
Meanwhile, Branson's style is collaborative. He allows the losing team to debate who should be up for his "elimination challenge". Branson encourages consensus whilst Trump encourages finger pointing and dissent. Whilst Trump looks for loyalty to the defeated leader, Branson looks for objectivity in analysis of the defeat. Branson then has the losing elimination pair challenge each other. In the case of an outright loser then he doesn't have to fire anyone - they self-selected such as the guy who fell asleep during the night whilst camping out in the savannah of Africa. An emotional Branson hugged the guy as he handed him his ticket home on the tarmac before they boarded their next flight. He was evidently sorry to lose such a strong candidate.
The final dismissal with Branson is again non-confrontational - the uncharitable might call it passive aggressive. He simply confronts the two losers on the tarmac at the steps to the plane and hands them a ticket each. One ticket allows someone to board whilst the other is sent on a different flight home to the USA.
One final key difference is that Branson never asks his elimination contestants to do anything he wouldn't do himself and he often joins them. With Branson its all casual clothing, breaking bread around the table, hugs and emotional support. It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine his organization is much flatter than Trump's and his senior managers don't enjoy the trappings of power because he recognizes that the only power they wield is the power to influence through respect.
When I'm watching The Apprentice, I can't help but remind myself that it is entertainment and that much of it is setup for the viewer. It isn't real. It isn't reality. It's fake! However, I feel that the differences in style between Trump and Branson are real and really are reflected in the nature of the two game shows. I have made up my mind who I'd prefer to work for. Have you?
