Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 911

Who led the teams in the season finale? - Holly led Curtis and Maria in this week's project. Bret led Darryl and Summer.

What was this week's project? - The teams developed new Snapple teas. The winning tea would be picked by Snapple executives, but the winner would not be picked on flavor alone. The teams would also be judged on a print ad, a television commercial, the branding of the product, and the integration of Holly and Bret's charities.

Who won? - Donald Trump hired Bret as his new Celebrity Apprentice! But he made sure to point out that in the truest sense, both Bret and Holly were winners.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about crossing the finish line to win. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Lead With Your Head and Your Heart

Holly was organized and methodical this week. Bret was inspired and emotional. Yet they both created terrific new Snapple teas that impressed everyone. We can learn a lot from both of them.
The lesson for your success? Be organized, but be passionate too. It's a winning combination that is always present in highly successful people.

Lesson Two: Stay Flexible

As last week's episode was ending, Bret was waiting for the arrival of a camera dolly track that he thought he needed to shoot his commercial. He was stalled and running out of time. But this week, he found a way to attach a video camera to a rolling hand truck - and he got the shot he wanted.
The lesson for your success? Don't stay stuck for long. Find a way to get around obstacles and move forward.

Lesson Three: Give People a Glimpse of Who You Really Are

Bret was very nervous when he started his presentation to the Snapple judges. He cracked some jokes that fell flat, and he seemed to be in trouble. But then he put his notes aside, spoke from his heart about himself and his daughter - and he won over the audience.
The lesson for your success? Leaders take the risk of letting other people know who they really are. It makes sense - why would anyone want to follow someone who is defensive and distant?

Lesson Four: Learn to Apologize

Last week Maria joked that Curtis had smelled up her team's bathroom. That offended Donald Trump, who said, "This is my boardroom, not a locker room." But in this week's season finale, Maria apologized honestly and won his respect again.
The lesson for your success? Learn to apologize. It's not easy or comfortable, but it is a fundamental skill of leadership.

Lesson Five: Tie Your Success to a Higher Cause

Both Bret and Holly felt deep personal connections to their charities. They also showed great love for their families. Those strong emotional forces drove them to compete and succeed.
The lesson for your success? You're not only in it for the money. You're in it to help those you love and believe in. With that mindset, you are more likely to achieve success - and leave your mark on the world too.

Lesson Six: Good Is an Unstoppable Force

Donald Trump contributed $25,000 to Darryl's charity, because Darryl had not won any money this season. Snapple decided to contribute an additional $250,000 to Bret's charity, and to Holly's too. All the celebrities' hard work will continue to pay off - even after the season is over.
The lesson for your success? If you strive to do good things with your life and your career, people will hurry to support you.

Lesson Seven: Raw Determination Wins

Bret literally came back from death's door to appear on the finale of Celebrity Apprentice. He did it not only to win, but to help children with diabetes.
The lesson for your success? Never give up. Winners never do - and you shouldn't either.

What will happen next season?

We will have two Apprentice seasons next year! One will be in the original Apprentice style, with young entrepreneurs competing to work for Donald Trump. The other will be a new Celebrity Apprentice season, with celebrities raising funds for their favorite causes. What could be more exciting than one Apprentice season? Two! See you there!

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Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 910

What was this week's project? - The teams developed new Snapple teas. The winning tea was picked by Snapple executives, but the winner wasn't picked on flavor alone. The teams were also judged on a print ad; a television commercial; the branding of the product; and the integration of Holly and Bret's charities.

Who won? - We won't know until the season finale!

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about competition. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Don't Cry on the Job

Both Sharon and Holly have strong emotional ties to their charities. Sharon is a cancer survivor and Holly is the mother of an autistic son! Yet when discussing their desire to win, Sharon cried and Holly didn't. Sharon's inability to control her emotions could have been one factor that got her fired.
The lesson for your success? Never cry on the job. If you are overcome with emotion and can't control yourself, go somewhere you can't be seen.

Lesson Two: Manners Still Count

When Maria joked that she disliked Curtis because he had smelled up her team's bathroom, she offended Donald Trump, who said, "This is my boardroom, not a locker room." Her lack of professionalism got her fired.
The lesson for your success? Even though we work in a casual business culture, saying offensive things can still get you fired. You have to know where that line is, and never cross it.

Lesson Three: You Stand on Your Record

Joan Rivers and Bill Rancic judged the contestants not only on their words, but on their wins and losses in previous weeks.
The lesson for your success? You will ultimately be judged on what you have achieved, not what you say about yourself. Talking a good game is not enough - you need a great track record too.

Lesson Four: Make Decisions

Bill Rancic and Joan Rivers made their recommendations about who should be fired. Then Donald Trump thanked them and said, "Now I will make up my mind." That's what leaders do.
The lesson for your success? Gather information and get good advice, but remember that the principal activity of leaders is decision-making. If you can't do that, you're not ready for life at the top.

Lesson Five: Learn to Negotiate

When Curtis negotiated against Bret for the chance to use passion fruit flavoring in his team's tea, he proved himself to be a wily negotiator. He threw up a smoke cloud, distracted Bret, and won exactly what his team was looking for.
The lesson for your success? Learn how to negotiate. If you read Donald Trump's books, including his latest bestseller "Think Like a Champion," you will learn just how important negotiating is to your success.

Lesson Six: Hire Great People

Summer did a great job of keeping Bret organized and on track. With his creative mind, he needed someone to do that for him. And when Holly hesitated to fire the actors that she would not use for her commercial, she had Curtis do it for her.
The lesson for your success? Surround yourself with great people as you build your career - and let them compensate for what you don't do well. Remember, no one is great at everything.

Lesson Seven: Don't Be a Workplace Romeo

When casting his commercial, Bret called in only beautiful young actresses - then he hung out with them instead of helping Summer and Darryl plan the team's ad and commercial.
The lesson for your success? Keep your libido in check on the job. Excessive flirting can put your career in danger - especially if it takes you away from important tasks.

Lesson Eight: Keep Moving Forward

As this week's episode was ending, Bret was waiting for the arrival of a camera dolly track that he thought he needed to shoot his commercial. He was completely stalled, and running out of time.
The lesson for your success? Find the fastest way to get around obstacles - and keep going forward. People who get stuck can't finish first.

What will happen next week?

Bret or Holly will be the new Celebrity Apprentice. What a great season this has been. See you at the season finale!

Learn More at Trump University

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 909

This week's project - The teams redecorated apartments that were then judged by a top interior decorator and an executive from BridgeStreet Worldwide. The apartment that possessed originality, celebrity style, and a "wow" factor was declared the winner.

Who was on the teams? - Donald Trump juggled team membership this week. As a result, Sharon, Maria and Curtis were on RockSolid. Cyndi, Holly and Bret were on Tenacity.

Who led the teams? - Holly led Tenacity and Sharon led RockSolid.

Who won? - RockSolid won $20,000, plus a $20,000 bonus.

Who got fired? - When Bret failed to defend himself aggressively in the boardroom, Donald Trump nearly fired him. But then he fired Cyndi after Holly and Bret agreed she was hard to control.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about winning. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Adapt or Die

All the contestants were in unfamiliar territory this week. None of them knew much about decorating! Yet Curtis applied his culinary knowledge and created a great kitchen. And Bret started taking photos of New York City to decorate his team's apartment. Instead of throwing up their hands, they made big contributions.
The lesson for your success? Find ways to stand out in any setting. Nobody wants to hear you say, "That's outside my area of expertise."

Lesson Two: Don't Be Prejudiced

Sharon and Maria were convinced they didn't like Curtis, but they practically fell in love with him as soon as he joined their team this week.
The lesson for your success? If you keep an open mind and expect the best from people, they could become your strongest allies.

Lesson Three: Learn to Love Difficult People

Holly had a hard time managing Cyndi again this week. Yet when all was said and done, Cyndi's room was the most remarkable in either of the apartments that the teams renovated. If Holly had capitalized on Cyndi's creativity to renovate the entire apartment instead of trying to box her in, Tenacity might have been this week's winner.
The lesson for your success? Don't ignore difficult people. While everybody else is saying "yes," they could be telling you exactly what you really need to hear.

Lesson Four: Pour on the Charm

Curtis sized up the political situation on his new team when he said, "Sharon and Maria already hate me... If we lose this task, it's going to be the two of them against me in the boardroom." Then he added, "I'm going to have them liking me by the end of this task." He poured on the charm, they started to love him - and he avoided a showdown that he would have lost.
The lesson for your success? There's a place for good old-fashioned charm in your career. Think of it as another tool in your political toolbox.

Lesson Five: Know when to Throw the Bull

When Mr. LeFrak visited RockSolid's apartment, Maria had absolutely nothing to show him but a floor full of paint cans. But she poured on the BS and started telling him about where the furniture would go, how awesome their media room would be - and more. LeFrak went away shaking his head - but thanks to Maria's subterfuge, he missed the fact that the team had no idea what it was doing.
The lesson for your success? There will be times in your career when you have to throw the bull. You can't do it all the time, or people will brand you as an unreliable lightweight. But at those rare times when you really have to throw it, make sure to you throw it very well.

Lesson Six: Don't Give People Ammo to Use against You

In the boardroom for the firing, Cyndi openly stated that it had been Holly's idea, not her own, to paint the "Zen" bedroom red. With that admission, Cyndi shot herself in the foot and set the stage for her own firing.
The lesson for your success? Don't be as open with your enemies as you are with your friends. Watch your words and never give ammunition to people who are gunning for you.

What will happen next week?

With Cyndi gone, we're now down to the final five contenders! Sparks are sure to fly. See you there!

Learn More at Trump University

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 908

This week's project - The teams created three 30-second radio commercials for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. Executives from Clockwork Home Services, the company that owns these three home repair companies picked the winning team.

Who was on the teams? - Curtis, Cyndi, Holly and Summer were on Tenacity. Bret, Maria and Sharon were on RockSolid.

Who led the teams? - Summer led Tenacity and Bret led RockSolid.

Who won? - RockSolid won $20,000, plus a $20,000 bonus from Clockwork Home Services.

Who got fired? - Donald Trump fired Summer when she failed to defend herself aggressively in the boardroom.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about reaching goals. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Take Risks!

The executives from Clockwork told both teams to avoid making jokes about plumbers. But Bret went ahead and did it anyway - and his team won, even though he disobeyed instructions.
The lesson for your success? If you want to stand out from the competition, you might have to break some rules.

Lesson Two: Be Direct

In the boardroom for the firing, Summer stalled when Donald Trump asked her to name the weakest member of her team. Her waffling got her fired.
The lesson for your success? Answer questions quickly and directly, without wasting people's time. Curtis answers Donald Trump's questions that way - that's one reason he's still on the show.

Lesson Three: Tie Your Success to a Higher Cause

Holly was overcome with emotion when her husband and children came to see her. They gave her renewed motivation to fight on for her charity.
The lesson for your success? When you tie your work to a higher purpose - like supporting your family or a cause you believe in - you gain the motivation to stay in the game.

Lesson Four: Be Playful

Bret, Maria and Sharon got their creative juices flowing by making lots of off-color jokes while they were planning their commercials. Meanwhile Summer was being methodical - and her team's commercials lacked the spark to win.
The lesson for your success? Bring a playful attitude to creative processes. You'll stand a much better chance of coming up with something unique.

Lesson Five: Go with Your Gut

Summer planned to have Cyndi sing backup on her team's commercial. But at the last moment, she thought "Hey, this is Cyndi Lauper!" and let Cyndi sing the lead. Even though her commercials lost, Summer had made a smart call that upped the quality of her commercials.
The lesson for your success? Listen to your intuition. It will almost always steer you in the right direction.

Lesson Six: Reach Out Across Company Divisions

Curtis and Sharon distrust each other because they've never worked together on a project. When and if they get thrown onto the same team, their ability to work together will already be damaged.
The lesson for your success? If you work in a company with divisions, volunteer to work on projects with people you've never met before. Building your internal network spells opportunity for you.

Lesson Seven: Defend Yourself

In previous weeks, Summer established a profile as a smart and capable woman. However, she consistently failed to defend herself from attack - and her passive attitude got her fired.
The lesson for your success? Defend yourself and your record. If you don't stand up for yourself, who will?

What will happen next week?

With only five contestants left, there's nowhere to hide! It's do-or-die time on Celebrity Apprentice.

Learn More at Trump University

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 907

This week's project - The teams created workout routines for 24 Hour Fitness. Executives from 24 Hour Fitness picked the best workout and awarded a special $24,000 bonus. But there was a wrinkle. The teams also got to raise money by inviting their wealthy friends to donate dollars to their cause. So the winning team was picked based on two factors -- the quality of its workout routine and the total amount of money raised.

Who was on the teams? - Donald Trump shifted the membership so that Curtis, Cyndi, Holly and Summer were on Tenacity. Bret, Maria and Sharon were on RockSolid.

Who led the teams? - Sharon led RockSolid and Holly led Tenacity.

Who won? - RockSolid had the winning workout and won $24,000 from 24 Hour Fitness. But Tenacity raised much more money -- $206,090 compared to $131,803 raised by RockSolid. Tenacity got to claim both teams' dollars, plus the $24,000 bonus. The grand total of $361,893 was the biggest purse ever won by any team on a regular (non-finale) episode of Celebrity Apprentice!

Who got fired? - Nobody! Donald Trump decided that both teams had performed so well that nobody deserved a firing! It was the first time in Apprentice history that no one was fired by The Donald!

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about focus and follow-through. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Never Let Your Burnout Show

Before this week's task was assigned, Sharon told the other women, "I don't want to play any more -- It's time for me to go!" But when her team's workout began to take shape, she ate those words and got her energy back.
The lesson for your success? Telling people, "I'm tired, I can't go on," can only damage your image. So why ever say it? Top performers silently dig down and tap new reserves of energy in themselves.

Lesson Two: Don't Be a Tattler

In the boardroom for the firing, Holly tried to throw Sharon under the bus by telling Donald Trump that Sharon said she wanted to quit the show and go home. It backfired, making Holly look like a tattletale.
The lesson for your success? Don't be a tattler. People who snitch come out looking worse than the people they attack.

Lesson Three: Take Risks

While the members of Tenacity were developing a high-quality workout routine, the members of RockSolid were clowning around and developing a "Rock Star Boot Camp" workout that had raunchy overtones. It was a risky thing to do. But in the end, RockSolid's audacious workout was picked as the winner by the judges from 24 Hour Fitness.
The lesson for your success? Take calculated risks. They'll make you stand out from nervous nellies, who always stick to safer ground.

Lesson Four: Head Off Technical Glitches before They Happen

With less than five minutes left before the deadline for contributions, Holly was still looking at her fax machine, waiting for her biggest cash donation to arrive. The fax did come in -- but she had cut her deadline way too close! She should have found not one way, but two or three ways for the payment to arrive.
The lesson for your success? Anticipate technical glitches like jammed fax machines, power failures, fried hard drives, and malfunctioning projectors. Because they could destroy your chances of success, always have fallback plans in place. You have to deliver results, not excuses.

Lesson Five: Talk to the Experts

Maria and Bret were so involved in developing their "Rock Star Boot Camp" workout that they ignored the fitness instructor who was there to help them develop their routine. Meanwhile over at Tenacity, Summer was meeting with a fitness instructor from 24 Hour Fitness to develop a routine that was up to snuff.
The lesson for your success? Always talk to experts when you're leading a project that lies outside of your expertise. The more expert advice you can get, the greater your chances of success.

Lesson Six: Ride Herd on Details

Bret sent off the text for his team's handout to the printer without having anyone proofread it. And when he went to pick up the handouts, there were mistakes in it. Donald Trump has fired people for smaller mistakes than that. Bret got lucky.
The lesson for your success? Ride herd on every detail. You might not be as lucky as Bret was.

Lesson Seven: Cross the Finish Line

After getting a promise of a $25,000 donation, Sharon started to gloat because she thought her team would be sure to win. But the other team raised much more money -- and Sharon lost!
The lesson for your success? You can't win the race until you cross the finish line. Never stop trying.

What will happen next week?

Donald Trump didn't fire anyone this week, but next week he could be gunning for two! Now that we're in the final weeks, anything could happen. We can hardly wait!

Learn More at Trump University

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 906

This week's project - The men's team helped country singer Luke Bryan update his image. The women did the same for another country star, Emily West. It was not an easy project. In only two days, the teams had to make their artists over, create new press kits for them, and prep them for magazine interviews. Three top country music executives would pick the winning team based on the effectiveness of the makeover, the quality of the press kit, and the improvement in the artist's breakout potential.

Who led the teams? - Goldberg led the men this week. Cyndi led the women.

Who won? - Tenacity, the women's team, was picked as this week's winner. Cyndi claimed $20,000 for her charity, True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation, plus additional dollars from both country artists' CD sales.

Who got fired? - Donald Trump fired Goldberg when he failed to explain why he took over leadership of the task instead of handing it over to Bret, who would have done a better job.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about leadership, ambition and teams. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Use Every Minute to Your Advantage

Goldberg turned over all control for the project to Bret. Then he hung back, did nearly nothing - and got fired. Meanwhile over at Tenacity, Maria stepped up and helped prepare Emily for her magazine interview, even though Cyndi never gave her that job.
The lesson for your success? Never twiddle your thumbs. Goldberg could have used his time in many productive ways. He could have produced a better concert for Luke. He could have picked up his phone and invited a group of pro wrestlers to the concert. But he did nothing, and lost. So remember, leaders use every moment to their advantage.

Lesson Two: Play to Your Strengths

Cyndi wanted to help Emily West, not Luke Bryan. Cyndi knew that she wasn't well equipped to help a man improve his image - but that she really knew how to help a woman. That choice contributed to her team's big win this week.
The lesson for your success? You don't always have to prove yourself by mastering something new and unknown. When a project comes along that lets you show off your strengths, seize it and shine.

Lesson Three: Don't Be a Doormat

When Cyndi wasn't letting Maria contribute, Maria stood up for herself and told Cyndi, "You don't know what I've done . . . you're underestimating me." That got Cyndi to apologize.
The lesson for your success? Speak up for yourself. If you wait for people to notice what you can do, you could be waiting forever.

Lesson Four: Recognize the Hidden Potential in Other People

While helping Luke refine his image, Bret said, "I want to bring out the rock star in him, but keep his humble personality." And Cyndi said, "If a person is comfortable in the clothes she wears, you take it and then you go from there."
The lesson for your success? Recognize the strengths of the people around you. Top achievers know that the best way to get into the spotlight is to help other people shine.

Lesson Five: Learn to Support Your So-So Boss

Cyndi was not a well organized boss. But stop and think about what happened this week. Summer, who supported Cyndi, came out looking better than Holly or Maria, who fought Cyndi's authority.
The lesson for your success? Pick your battles. Even if you have a mediocre boss, work hard anyway. In time, the great things you get done will get noticed - and the fact that you achieved them while working for a dud will make you look even better.

Lesson Six: Think Before You Speak

In the boardroom, Goldberg said that he had turned over 90 percent of the project to Bret. Then he waffled and cut back that figure to 85 percent - and then 70 percent. Then a minute later, he said, "Obviously, I didn't do good enough to win." Those were dangerous things to say - and they got him fired.
The lesson for your success? Since it's impossible to take back a stupid statement, always think before you open your mouth.

What will happen next week?

With two men and five women remaining, Donald Trump will probably do something to balance out the teams before assigning next week's task. Will he move some women to the men's team, bring back a former contestant - or stun us with some other surprise? We can hardly wait to find out. See you there!

Learn More at Trump University

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 905

This week's project - The teams created commercials for Right Guard Total Defense 5 deodorant. The commercials were judged by two Right Guard executives, who picked the winner based on its brand integration, creativity, presentation and targeting of young athletes.

Who led the teams? - Curtis led the men this week. Holly led the women.

Who won? - RockSolid, the men's team, was picked as this week's winner. Curtis claimed $20,000 for his charity, Feeding America.

Who got fired? - Donald Trump fired Selita when she failed to defend herself aggressively in the boardroom.

Big surprises this week? - Sharon was sick and didn't take part. Cyndi, who was in Washington, was only able to join her team at the end of the task. Bret was dealing with a family emergency: his daughter was being tested for diabetes. Michael was dealing with family problems too, and quit the show for the remainder of the season.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about getting to the top. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Don't Fake It

When Curtis learned that his team would be using NBA star Clyde Drexer in its commercial, he asked Michael, "What team did he play for?" Curtis, who is Australian, was gathering the information he needed to lead his team.
The lesson for your success? Don't try to cover up your shortcomings. Before you can correct them, you have to admit them.

Lesson Two: Follow Instructions

The Right Guard executives explained that the winning commercials would target young athletes. But the women got carried away with a concept that targeted mothers instead. They lost, even though their commercials were much better than the men's.
The lesson for your success? Don't fall in love with your own brilliance. You succeed by giving people what they want - not what you want.

Lesson Three: Don't Be a Queen Bee

Selita didn't help while her team members were lugging furniture into the video studio. She hid in an office and plunked on her computer. To make her mistake even worse, she did it while George Ross was watching.
The lesson for your success? Roll up your sleeves and work hard. In the end, queen bees get stung.

Lesson Four: Throw the Blarney Sometimes

When Ivanka visited the men's team, Curtis put on a show of confidence about how well his team was doing - even though the men were in complete confusion.
The lesson for your success? You have to throw the blarney sometimes to protect your team.

Lesson Five: Be Inclusive

When Cyndi called her team from Washington to contribute ideas, the women pretended to listen to her - but hung up and laughed at her behind her back. Nobody took the time to explain to her what the team was doing or find ways for her to contribute.
The lesson for your success? Make use of everyone on your team. Cliques are fun in junior high, but they have no place in professional life.

Lesson Six: Make Decisions

When Curtis kept waffling about the concept for his team's commercials, he pushed his team to the brink of disaster. They only won because their presentation and commercials were targeted at young athletes.
The lesson for your success? Learn to make good decisions and stick with them.

Lesson Seven: Show Your Fighting Spirit

In the boardroom for the firing, Selita lacked the spirit to fight back against Holly and Maria. She looked like the weakest one of the three, and Donald Trump fired her.
The lesson for your success? Don't sit around waiting for people to notice your accomplishments. Fight for your success.

Lesson Eight: Offer Personal Support

The men made a great show of personal support for Bret when they said, "If there is anything we can do, we're here for you." That was the right thing to say - and it strengthened their team.
The lesson for your success? Support colleagues who are facing personal problems. It's the right thing to do, it builds your team - and it shows you have character.

What will happen next week?

Michael is gone, Bret's life is in turmoil and Sharon is missing in action. We're willing to bet that next week will bring even more surprises. See you there!

Learn More at Trump University

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 904

This week's project - The teams created three-dimensional interactive displays to promote The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new attraction at Universal Studios in Orlando. The winning display was selected by a group of young Harry Potter fans and executives from Universal.

Who led the teams? Rod led the men this week. Selita led the women.

Who won? Tenacity, the women's team, was picked as this week's winner. Selita claimed $20,000 for her charity, Shine on Sierra Leone.

Who got fired? - Donald Trump fired Rod, RockSolid's project manager.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught important lessons about communication and leadership. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Build the Foundation First
Neither team leader asked anyone to read the Harry Potter books or to watch the movies. As a result, both teams got critical details wrong and lost credibility with the Harry Potter fans who judged their displays. The men lost because they got more details wrong than the women did.

The lesson for your success? Even your greatest ideas will flop if you fail to research the basics.

Lesson Two: Small Opportunities Can Spell Big Success
Both teams had small displays - only 14x18 feet. Yet despite that limitation, the women created a memorable experience by having kids start with a visit to Ollivander's Wand Shop --the unforgettable emporium where Harry Potter bought his wand before enrolling in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In contrast, the men had a generic wizard greet the kids -- not Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. Any Harry Potter fan could see they were faking it.

The lesson for your success? Limitations can offer you the chance to showcase what you do best. Don't gripe about them. Turn them to your advantage.

Lesson Three: Slow Starters Finish Last
Both teams began to design their displays before they had received detailed information from their project leaders. The result? By the time Rod and Selita got back from Orlando, the construction of their displays was already well along.

The lesson for your success? Don't twiddle your thumbs and wait for complete instructions before you start to work on an assignment. Start with what you know, do what you can and then adjust later. Slow starters never finish first.

Lesson Four: It's Sometimes Good to Embarrass Yourself
When Selita was welcoming Harry Potter fans to her team's display, she hammed it up and spoke with an exaggerated British accent -- even though it made her feel ridiculous.

The lesson for your success? Be a little theatrical, because showmanship is part of success.

Lesson Five: Loose Lips Lose Tasks
When Erin Burnett (one of Donald Trump's "eyes and ears" this week) visited the men to see their display, Bret told her, "Rod is technologically challenged" and said that "smoking weed" was part of the inspiration behind his concept. In contrast, Summer told George Ross only positive things when he visited. That caused him to say, "They have a very ambitious project, if they can pull it off."

The lesson for your success? Think politically. Remember who your colleagues are, who your opponents are, who your judges are -- and filter the information that you give out.

Lesson Six: Don't Wing It
The women carefully prepared the script that they would use to greet the Harry Potter fans. The result? A compelling experience for their audience. In contrast, the men improvised their presentation. The result? A confusing presentation that led to a loss.

The lesson for your success? Never "wing it" when the stakes are high.

Lesson Seven: Cut the BS
Rod never got critical details right, even after the project was over. He couldn't name the Harry Potter-themed rollercoaster at Universal. He called one of the houses at Hogwarts "Slithering" instead of "Slytherin," even while he was trying to prove that he had researched Harry Potter!

The lesson for your success? BS won't get you out of trouble. In the end, your success will be built on achievements, not the amount of bull that you have slung.

Lesson Eight: Results Are All that Counts
A lot was said this week about Rod's lack of technical knowledge. He couldn't send emails or text messages. Yet he could have gotten around those obstacles by simply calling his team and telling them what he wanted. In the final reckoning, you are judged by the results you achieved, not the tools you used.

The lesson for your success? Look for solutions, not excuses. Any strategy that gets the job done is the right one.

What will happen next week?
The women are squabbling with each other -- but they're winning. The men are having a great time together -- but they're losing. But look for a big shakeup next week, because Donald Trump will probably shuffle team membership to balance the teams. Tune in next week to find out how things shape up.

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 903

This week's project - The teams created four-page advertorials for a new identity theft protection program launched by Life Lock and Norton. Executives from Life Lock and Norton picked the winning advertorial based on creativity, brand integration, overall presentation, and the effectiveness of the spokesperson.

Who led the teams? Michael led the men this week. Summer led the women.

Who won? The executives named the women's team, Tenacity, as this week's winner. Summer claimed $20,000 for her charity, Right to Play.

Who got fired? - Darryl, who seemed eager quit and go home to his family.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

This episode taught critical lessons about how to be a winner. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Make Decisions and Stand by Them
Both team leaders had critical decisions to make early on in the project. Michael really shone in this area, by decisively picking Curtis as his team's spokesperson. He also shut down Bret's flashy layout and swapped it for with an advertorial that presented a lot of information. Even though Michael's team lost, his decisiveness singled him out as a leader and he was not fired, even though his team lost.

The lesson for your success? Make decisions - and be ready to deal with the consequences.

Lesson Two: Give People Jobs that They Can Handle
Michael asked Rod to conduct research online, and then he walked away and assumed that Rod - the former governor of Illinois - would know how to get the job done. An hour later, Rod was still struggling with the assignment.

The lesson for your success? Don't assume that people have the same skills that you do. Test their knowledge before giving them critical assignments.

Lesson Three: Don't Sleep through Wake-Up Calls
When Donald Trump Jr. visited the women's team to ask how the project was going, Summer got rattled and wasn't able to explain her team's concept. Yet instead of accepting defeat, Summer treated the experience as a wake-up call. She got energized, created a new concept - and lead her team to victory.

The lesson for your success? With a resilient attitude, you can turn threatening situations into opportunities.

Lesson Four: Stay in the Game
When Darryl dropped back because he didn't feel motivated by the task, he paved the way for his own defeat. Compare that to Goldberg, who became more and more excited by his team's work - even though he wasn't the project leader.

The lesson for your success? Learn to lead from wherever you are. Remember that great people stand out, even if they are not yet in leadership positions.

Lesson Five: Create Master Schedules for Important Projects
Both teams were struggling with unfinished PowerPoint presentations five minutes before they had to present their advertorials to the judges. If they had organized all phases of their projects ("We need to start on our PowerPoint at 9:00 AM on presentation day . . . ") their pitches would have been more compelling.

The lesson for your success? Use master schedules to organize important projects. Great organization isn't flashy - but it's essential to great leadership.

Lesson Six: Heal Rifts within Your Team
When Summer apologized to Cyndi after criticizing her in the boardroom, she was making an honest attempt to repair the damage that she had done to her team.

The lesson for your success? Heal conflicts within your team instead of allowing them to fester. Apologizing doesn't always work - but it does show that you put your team's success ahead of personal frictions.

Lesson Seven: Have a Personal Mission Statement
In the boardroom, Michael said, "The success I had as an athlete was based on my being organized, being focused and being prepared . . . and I tried to instill that in my employees."

The lesson for your success? If you boil your personal success philosophy down to a few powerful words, it will support you in times of trouble.

What will happen next week?
Goldberg, Holly and Selita seem poised to step into the spotlight and show what they can do. But Bret, Rod and Sharon won't lie down and play dead while their teammates reach for power. Be prepared for some fireworks when we tune in next week!

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Apprentice Episode 902

This week's project - The teams moved into empty stores and created promotions for the Kodak Moments line of digital photo products. Two Kodak executives would pick the winner based on originality, brand messaging and the quality of the customer experience.

Who led the teams? Sinbad led the men this week. Maria led the women.

Who won? The Kodak executives named the women's team, Tenacity, as this week's winner. Maria claimed $20,000 for her charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Who got fired? - Sinbad, this week's project manager for the men.

SUCCESS LESSONS THIS WEEK

We learned critical lessons about leadership this week. Let's take a closer look.

Lesson One: Today's the Day to Show You Are a Leader
Both team leaders were eager to step into leadership roles. , Sinbad said, "It's time to get my feet wet . . . I don't want to hide in the shadows." And Maria said, "I thought this would be a good chance to show my creative abilities . . . I love being a leader." She added that even though she lacked the experience of some of her teammates, she was a "fighter." Great gutsy moves on both their parts!

The lesson for your success? Seize opportunities early in your career. The sooner you stand out from the crowd, the sooner you get to the top.

Lesson Two: Inspiration Is Not Enough
Maria started communicating her vision to her team as soon as she took control of the project. On the men's side, Sinbad was all over the map. Although he was inspired about his concept, he couldn't explain it to his team. The result? All the men were wondering what their leader wanted them to do.

The lesson for your success? Creative vision is not enough. You have to communicate, delegate and motivate too.

Lesson Three: Focus on the Goal
Both teams heard the same instructions from Kodak. Their success would be based on three factors -- originality, brand messaging and customer experience. But only the women emphasized brand messaging, by putting Summer in charge of an attractive product display. The men simply put Kodak products on a table and let the brand message die.

The lesson for your success? The people who determine your success -- your bosses, clients and customers -- will often tell you exactly what they want from you. Learn to listen carefully and deliver it.

Lesson Four: Learn to Build Success on Success
Bret established a great leadership profile last week when he was project manager. He listened to his people. He delegated effectively. He motivated them. Then this week, he destroyed that image when he went to the store's basement and sulked because he felt that Sinbad was not delegating work to him. Compare that to Michael, who jumped in and started working, despite Sinbad's poor leadership.

The lesson for your success? If you let your emotions get in the way, you won't stay a leader for long. So discipline yourself and stay on track.

Lesson Five: A Strong Plan Can Protect You from Disasters
When the electricity repeatedly failed in Tenacity's store, it looked like the women were headed for a devastating loss. But they won anyway, because they emphasized the Kodak brand.

The lesson for your success? A great plan can save you from setbacks and come out a winner.

Lesson Six: Don't Just Plan, Execute!
The men prevented a bottleneck by letting their customers claim their photos on a website instead of waiting at a printer in the store. But they didn't tell all their customers about the website -- and some of the people they didn't tell were Kodak's secret shoppers.

The lesson for your success? The best ideas in the world won't bring you success if you don't make sure that they are implemented.

Lesson Seven: Tie Your Success to a Higher Cause
When Maria brought in children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a photo shoot, she reminded her teammates that they were supporting a great cause -- not just trying to win this week's competition.

The lesson for your success? When you remember that your work benefits something bigger than yourself -- like your family or your children -- you put a foundation under all your efforts. Remember, the things that matter to you can motivate you to win.

Lesson Eight: Tackle Problems as Soon as They Arise
In the boardroom, Sinbad admitted that he "couldn't handle" Bret when Bret started to act up. If Sinbad had been able to control Bret while the task was in progress, Bret might have gotten fired in the boardroom -- and Sinbad would have survived to compete in future weeks.

The lesson for your success? Tackle tough problems as soon as they arise. Good leaders don't avoid unpleasant tasks -- they welcome them.

What will happen next week?
Maria really shone as a leader this week. Yet Summer stood out too, by being a terrific spokeswoman for Kodak products. Don't be surprised if she steps into a real leadership position in the weeks to come. Her star could shine all the brighter because the men's team is in disarray.