Reality Shows and the Real World by Linda Leontowich

It was not that long ago, back in 2004, when two long running very successful television shows wrapped up production. Based on the huge popularity of both of these shows, we can expect to see their re-runs for another decade or two.

The oldest and youngest of baby boomers identified with two of the lead characters of Frasier. who were both psychiatrists. Ironically to ordinary folks, the lives of these main characters appeared  “hilariously dysfunctional”. Countless viewers observed the two accomplished personalities in a calamity of compromising circumstances.  Each week the show generated loads of levity into living rooms across North America.

Friends, the other long running show caught the attention of the Generation X crowd and to a larger degree to Generation Y. Each week Friends was also highly successful in portraying some ongoing struggle for several of the lead characters. Historically it has been the type of storylines that build and maintain high ratings. Many Gen Yers could easily relate with those weekly challenges endured by the lead characters. Like so many popular shows, rarely did the audience catch the lead characters doing that real boring stuff like laundry, grocery shopping or housecleaning. Week after week, audiences watched some of the lead characters float from job to job with generous amounts of leisure time to connect with friends at the neighbourhood coffee shop. The lifestyles depicted on the show, for the most part, were a far stretch from the real world.

Despite it all, those in Generation Y identified with the characters because no matter how tough things got, you always had your friends.  Each week the show opened with the ever popular lyrics reminding viewers of those times when it was “not your month, your week or your year”. Many in Generation Y easily identified with some of the main characters on Friends. There were those struggling to get a “real job”, those with relationship challenges and still others struggling to “get a life”. 

A major shift took place shortly after the new millennium as attention turned from fictional characters to Reality TV.  Competition was mounting between television networks and between cable and satellite stations who faced the new reality as people of all ages were giving up more and more television to spend more time online.  They needed a compelling reason to keep people glued to the tube.  And so began the advent of Reality Television tied to online communities with added appeal to the Gen Y crowd.

Week after week millions and millions of viewers want to know who has messed up enough to get eliminated on an ever increasing number of shows including Survivor, The Amazing Race and The Apprentice (which could be easily be renamed Boardroom Survivor). Message boards were flooded with comments on who should be let go.

We soon became a society increasingly preoccupied with real life personal struggle. This phenomenon in our new millennium extends beyond the “rubberneckers” who slow down traffic on the freeway just to see how bad the accident was only to take up precious family time during the evening meal to regurgitate about the scene and how some driver “messed up” including more vivid graphic details than any news anchor covering the evening news.

The advent of reality shows has underscored this new fixation. So how might this new approach affect our traditional ways of cheering on the Underdog and reinforcing competence instead of incompetence?

Let’s consider that for many in Generation Y who are now entering the workforce, numerous reality shows in recent years put a weekly emphasis on who is going to make the cut. This continuous mindset on the “weakest link” can ultimately affect the outlook of Gen Yers on tribal team-spirit in the workplace and the work cultures of the future.

Despite rapid advances in technology, some fundamentals in business that do not change.  Providing opportunity for people to learn a new skill in a safe and supportive environment helps organizations attract and retain talented members on the team. In the real world the people who learn best are those who have the freedom to occasionally mess up especially when learning something new. Such freedom makes people feel empowered to reach their potential.

If ever we needed more mentoring, coaching, encouraging, example-setting, role-modeling and cheering on, it is right now as many in Generation Y now enter the work force in increasing numbers.

Standing in a bank line up recently (yes we still have those in this tech-savvy world) I observed a sign that read Employee in Training – Thanks for your Patience. Behind the counter was a young woman in her twenties and a man who appeared to be in his later fourties. Upon getting into the line-up, I assumed the young person was one being trained. I later learned that it was the older gent who had just started on the job and the young woman was training him.  Expect to see similar scenes in the near future as there more and more of Generation X and Generation Y will assume the important role for training and leading others. This new real world shift underscores the need for mentoring and coaching skills.

Chances are you know someone in Generation Y who represents an emerging minority. They are dynamic forward-thinking people  who know the value of informal learning as an ideal complement to formal learning. They show up often at seminars, courses, workshops and Toastmasters’ meetings. They stand out as the keeners who huddle around accomplished professionals with two or three decades more experience. They huddle around, soak up every word and ponder every nuance. They are continually observing, questioning and rapidly learning.

These individuals are the bright lights in the horizon. While their friends and co-workers catch up on reruns of Friends and the latest reality shows, these keeners will find their way to trade shows, financial planning seminars, e-commerce workshops and business networking events. They know to truly thrive in the real world; they must be well-rounded in people skills and communication, whether they work for an employer or run their own business. They know that despite some good tips gained from watching reality shows, there is no substitute for learning on your own from “real world experiences.” 

These very wise individuals are taking advantage of some of the best ever times in history for informal learning. I would suggest you stay on alert as some of these fine folks will be soon showing up at a CEO corner office near you in the not too-distant future. 

Copyright© 2005 Linda Leontowich of www.learntothrive.com and www.lndaleontowich.com. All rights reserved.