As always, a diverse team of 16 candidates were gathered to enter the running for Donald Trump’s Apprentice. This fall, season 10 of The Apprentice promises over the top, cut-throat competition. This season’s competitors are a group of men and women who have been hit hard by the recession.
They are all unemployed and super-motivated to take their place along side Trump as the season 10 Apprentice. They are all ready for their “second chance.”
Apprentice candidates team-up.
The teams were divided into men and women and chose their names. The men easily chose the name “Octane.” Gene was pushed out on the chopping block to be the first project manager.
The women chose the name “Fortitude.” Nicole volunteered to be the project manager because she wanted a chance to show she was gutsy, but being the project manager always carries risks as well as benefits. It’s obvious right away that Nicole is going to be an in-your-face player.
The Apprentice first challenge
The first task was to design and build an ultra-modern work space. Both teams were given a bare workspace to design.
Team Octane, under Gene’s leadership was to build a green workspace. The problem is that Gene didn’t fully understand what is meant by a “green” workspace. I think Gene was thinking of the color green, not the concept of a green workspace. It was an awesome idea, but Gene didn’t know what he was doing and he failed to pull the men together and focus on the task.
The architect came in and just hung around while Gene planned design. The workspace had to be designed first. James and Anand took the initiative and sat down with the architect to plan the workspace, while Gene was lost in space.
David grew frustrated, but he was head strong, a liar, and a sneak. He lost control in his attempts to get things done – his way. He and Clint nearly came to blows over ordering plants. David definitely needed a xanax. (I’m just saying…). Did I mention he was rude and disrespectful?
The real root of the problems with team Octane was Gene’s lack of leadership. Once the project had run completely amok Gene pulled rank and tried to get team Octane under control. It worked with everyone – everyone except David.
On day two Gene pulled the men together and put the men to work and delegated tasks. It looked like it was going to be a much more productive day, but it didn’t turn out that way.
Gene told everyone to take ownership of their task, then went behind them and micromanaged everything that was done.
On day two we learned why David was so stressed. He has five kids, recently divorced, and living on unemployment. After having lived on a six figure income he is humiliated to be on unemployment. The thing he has to realize is that his situation is not unique, not in the US, and not even among his teammates.
Team Fortitude was under the leadership of Nicole. Nicole shot down everyone’s ideas but her own. It was clear that the success or failure of the team Fortitude was going to fall squarely on Nicole’s shoulders.
Tyana and Nicole hit it off like flint. Stephanie wanted to bring Tyana’s design skill into play. Nicole let Stephanie know right away that she already didn’t care for Tyana.
Tyana did her own thing to strike back. Nicole didn’t like her ideas for color design, but then abdicated Nicole as part of the team that was to pick out the paint. Score one for Nicole, she got the colors up that she wanted.
Nicole realized if they fell short on this task she needed someone to blame, so she picked up Tyana and Poppy for the task. Tyana took the bull by the horns and got the job done, even managing to sway Nicole’s hastily formed opinion of her. She even complemented Tyana when Don Jr came by to check on the women.
In return Tyana stabbed Nicole in the back when approached by Don Jr. Ouch!
Mahsa was the other woman who postured this week on The Apprentice. She was harsh and abrasive with Poppy. She stepped forward for Nicole to see her to keep herself out of the boardroom.
At the end of the day the women seemed to be farther along with their plan than the men – by far. Their work flow continued well into the second day.
In The Apprentice, season 10 boardroom.
Donald started the meeting by informing the candidates that he didn’t like either space.
You could have heard a pin drop.
Trump should have pulled both Octane and Fortitude into the boardroom and fired someone from each team, namely the project managers. They did a terrible job.
When Gene was called on the carpet in front of Donald Trump he had no excuse for rugs that tripped up the film crew. He also took forever to name his weakest link. He called out James and David, who both made significant contributions to the team.
When David had his turn he brought up the conflict between himself and Clint. Clint didn’t have much to say. He was called out by Don for not wearing a tie to the boardroom.
Team Octane was a train wreck in the boardroom.
Nicole was attacked by Trump because she said her team did a great job, but he hated the presentation. Tyana jumped on board attacking Nicole’s leadership style as wishy-washy, which it was.
Mahsa had a complete presentation for dogging Nicole in the boardroom. Her D.A. background was obvious.
Team Fortitude was also a train wreck in the boardroom.
Donald didn’t like either space. Ivanka liked the men’s space better. Don agreed. The women’s space was judged too traditional, and the men won.
Who was fired first on season 10 of The Apprentice?
The women piled on Nicole in the boardroom. She was snowballed by her team. Everyone blamed Nicole for the loss, unequivocally.
Don even jumped in the game because Nicole laid down and didn’t defend herself.
Mahsa and Tyana were called into the boardroom with Nicole. Mahsa had no reason to be in the boardroom, but she couldn’t stop running her mouth. She needs to realize she is not in the courtroom.
When they went back into the boardroom Mahsa didn’t even allow Donald Trump to say a word before she started in. Then all three of the women broke out and it was an all-out cat fight.
Nicole couldn’t defend herself because her entire group called her a weak leader. She flip-flopped on everything she was asked in the boardroom.
It was an easy call when Donald Trump fired Nicole.Sources:
The Apprentice, season 10, NBC.com
