BL73: What reality TV teaches that destroys your ability to lead

Bold Leadership podcast

“Kids watching television tend to accept it as a reflection of reality anyway,” Dr. David Hill, a pediatrician who is program director of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media, told Healthline. “Until they’re about 8 years old, it’s very difficult for them to do any significant reality testing. That’s why kids under that age are much more accepting of Santa Claus. Kids already struggle with testing what’s real or not, and then reality television is advertised as being real.”

This is a problem, according to Nancy Molitor, PhD, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, because kids often become desensitized to what they are seeing.

“There is this appeal to these shows that comes down to making people feel superior to others,” Molitor told Healthline. “You see contestants being laughed at, rejected, voted off, made fun of. And watching these shows makes kids feel superior as well. It’s reinforcing all kinds of negative behavior that we don’t want to see in our kids, including relational aggression.”

Today we are going to discuss 2 shows that distort reality and are creating a selfish employee culture

1. What show’s motto is outwit, outlast, outplay?
2. Is this the mentality we want for our employees or leaders?
3. How about this one recently posted on twitter “If you don't have haters, you're not doing something right.”
4. Do you want employees walking in the door of your company thinking this is an appropriate way to behave.

Unfortunately what we believe is reality is actually somewhat scripted to drive emotional responses. As leaders we must notice the signs of unhealthy behaviors and actions within our organization. You need team players, focused on team goals to grow exceptional companies. Do not let your company fall into the trap of reality tv.