How Management is Like Being in the Cast of Jersey Shore

Let me be open from the outset. I’ve not actually seen an episode of Jersey Shore. All I have is impressions I’ve picked up from Entertainment Weekly and probably Joel Stein. That said, the Jersey Shore cast strikes me as a group of people in a world of their own making, with special emphasis on self-absorption.

What does this have to do with management? I think at any given moment we as managers can run the risk of getting caught up in a contrived world − a world where the choice to look good crowds out working on meaningful priorities − or where we agree to things that don’t seem quite right because we don’t want to seem stupid − or we don’t want to be the only one speaking up and throwing a wrench in things. Really, it doesn’t take much to create that contrived world where craziness looks sane and sanity looks crazy. It can get to the point where maintaining appearances or jumping for stuff that seems important is reality.

We need more bravery in leadership. Yes, bravery. I see bravery needed particularly when we are faced with a naked emperor and everyone else is saying, “Looking good,” along with a requisite thumbs-up sign. What if you choose instead to challenge that contrived reality?

I’m going to stop right here because I think you can come up with even more relevant comparisons to the latest reality show. I’m only writing this as a caution (and I thought it would be fun). Where are you perhaps getting caught up in the hype, the “looking good,” at the expense of the business, your employees or your own integrity?

Mary Schaefer, MHRM, PHR & ACC has coached hundreds of managers like you to lead their employees in a more effective and human way. Find out today how your approach to managing people helps you or hurts you. Order the no-cost People Management Personality(tm) assessment now and (for a limited-time) get a 20-minute consult with me, on your biggest question about your unique results.