10 Secrets I Learned from The Apprentice

by Anthony Parinello, Beth Gottfried

On the hit reality TV show "The Apprentice," 16 power-mongering contestants compete ferociously for a top-level, year-long position at one of real estate mogul Donald Trump's companies. The competition-and the competitors-are ruthless, but only one will be left standing. So what does it take to become number one in the world of big business and finance? By examining the show and the contestants, not to mention Trump himself, some valuable tips can be gleaned to pave your way to the top.

Genres: Business

153 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2004

Reviews

[David Rough · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for several years. I was a fan of the reality show and was amazed week after week at the leadership (and lack thereof) displayed by some of the participants. As President Trump made his successful run for the highest office in our country, his reality show (The Apprentice) kept floating to the top of my thinking. This book provides some interesting insights into his leadership approach, and some of the principles captured in this short series of "secrets" can be seen at the White House today. This is not a political book per se (nor is this review), nor is it a scholarly volume on the principles of leadership, but it is an enjoyable book for those who watched the TV series.

Most of the "secrets" reflect an authoritarian, almost cut-throat, approach to leadership. Most of the insights fall to an opposite perspective from mine, that of servant or transformational leadership. This is not on my top 1000 leadership books, but it did make me shake my head and brought a smile to my face as I remembered some of the mismanagement of the business tasks given to the candidates.

[Lori Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A should-read book on improving your businesss skills in your work life.