The Breakroom

     Bret Michaels has confirmed once and for all that corporate America is due for a revamp. With all of the controversy surrounding Wall Street and the banking industry which led the way to record unemployment rates, perhaps it’s time that businesses rethink their hiring structure and policies.

When the Celebrity Apprentice show began Bret was considered to be an underdog who was cast for entertainment value alone. He was a bandana wearing rocker with long hair who at the start of filming  the Apprentice appearing on the show was still attempting to keep concert dates and this caused him to oversleep on occasion.

The frontrunner, Holly Robinson Peete, was structured, professional and dressed for the role of an executive. She was familiar with the business world and had experience both in fundraising and in presentations. There appeared to be no similarity between the two players and no one thought Bret would last long.

As the weeks progressed and the tension increased we learned that Bret was a inspired, resourceful project manager who produced masterpieces out of disorder. When things went wrong, such as with the undelivered camera dolly and the misplaced script on the final show, he didn’t blame anyone or get upset. He coolly analyzed the problem and came up with a resolution.

Holly, on the other hand, was quick to throw others under the bus and became frustrated when things didn’t progress according to her well organized plans. She stifled the creativeness of her teammates and refused to work outside the restrictions of her comfort zone. Her assignments were concluded in a timely and professional manner, but they lacked the imagination that was continually witnessed with Bret.

What does this have to do with corporate America? Everything. It is the case in point of what went wrong and how to repair it. According to human resource experts the ideal employee will be one with fashionable hair, manicured nails, professional clothing and an air of self-assurance. As Donald Trump said time and time again, he was searching for passion.

Having a professional appearance is mandatory in most positions because the business desires to give the impression they are capable of handling whatever undertaking it was created to do and nearly all companies have dress regulations to make certain that this happens.  Originality and innovation are subdued. Imagination is overlooked or pushed to the side and anyone suggesting ways of improving or altering the status quo is assumed to not be a “team player”.

Bret Michaels has verified that the customary way of doing business requires revamping. He has proven that fitting into the corporate scene has no bearing on how dynamic and productive you can be. Bret remained flexible, motivated those around him in a encouraging way and in the midst of all the back stabbing and blame gaming he remained unruffled. He spoke eloquently, held chairs and doors for the ladies (even when they spoke negatively of him) and constantly used excellent manners. The audience came away with a sense that this rocker could do anything if he chose to.

Take note Corporate America! Times are changing. Stop hiring the plastic employees who fit into your prerequisite mold, but who have absolutely no life experience or common sense. Instead, start employing the obese older women, the rockers with multiple piercings and dyed hair, the handicapped or the ZZ Top lookalike. Our uniqueness is why we make an innovative workforce. We think outside of the box. We are slower to criticize others and most of us have learned more from life experiences than from ten college degrees.

Some opinion columns have said that Bret won because of sympathy for his illness.  Those who watched the show every week know that wasn't the case.  Bret was an incredibly hard worker who treated those around him with respect and who knew how to utilize the talents of his team members and motivate others to be their best.  

He is also are a courageous man who came through the rigors of a strongly competitive contest with his dignity intact and then because of numerous medical conditions faced his own mortality.  Against his doctor's advice he once again surprised us by appearing at the finale show where he heard those memorable words, "Bret, you're hired !".