Actions Speak Louder Than Words: A Lesson in Leadership from Survivor

"The price of greatness is responsibility."

~ Winston Churchill

Spoiler Alert: If you're not caught up on the latest season of Survivor, proceed with caution. However, if you're ready to delve into the lessons of failed leadership showcased in episode 1 of season 46, let's dive in.

A New Cast

Season 46 of Survivor kicked off last week, and as avid viewers, my wife and I were eager to tune in. Each season, new cast members tout their leadership skills and dominance in the game, and episode 1 was no exception. Among the notable cast members were Jessica "Jess" Chong, Q Burdette, and the central character in this lesson, David "Jelinsky" Jelinsky, a 22-year-old slot machine salesman from Las Vegas.

Both Q and Jelinsky boasted strong leadership traits and confidence in their ability to navigate the game. Q, a successful real estate agent from a large family, showcased social skills and physical strength. Similarly, Jelinsky claimed social prowess and leadership confidence.

In a pivotal moment, Q and Jelinsky were chosen to represent their tribe in a physical challenge to secure essential tools for their camp. Despite a challenging task, Jelinsky's frustration led him to prematurely give up, shattering their chances of success.

Later, Jelinsky faced another opportunity to prove himself in a challenge involving deception pitted against members from the two other tribes. Despite forming alliances within his own tribe, he caved under pressure, forfeiting his advantage and ultimately admitting his mistake to his tribe.

During a critical puzzle challenge, Jelinsky faltered once more, leading to his tribe's defeat and subsequent trip to Tribal Council. Leading up to the Tribal Council, it became clear that the tribe was torn between nominating Jess and Jelinsky for failing to win them the puzzle challenge. Jelinsky was confident he would stay because of his physical strength, and his confidence in his own leadership. However, it was the final calling out of the “elephant in the room” that sealed Jelinsky’s fate. When making his case for why he should stay, he said that he, “wasn’t one to quit.”  To which Jenny pointed out Jelinsky’s three notable failures to follow through and do his part for the team. Despite his confidence, Jelinsky's actions spoke louder than his words.

Words Without Action are Meaningless

Ultimately, Jelinsky's failure to follow through and support his team led to his elimination. This serves as a reminder that leaders must lead by example, demonstrating resilience and commitment to their commitments.

In last week’s newsletter by Curtis Scaplen, he highlighted a former CEO we both had the opportunity to work for. This CEO demonstrated humility by tackling tasks like emptying the dishwasher early in the morning. His actions sent a powerful message that no one is exempt from contributing to the organization's success. As leaders, prioritizing action over words is crucial. We must take ownership of our responsibilities and honor our commitments. When faced with challenges, seeking help and support, rather than giving up, is paramount.

Closing Thoughts

"Accountability breeds response-ability."

~ Stephen Covey

Failure to take ownership and be accountable is the ultimate failure of leadership. To build successful teams, we must emphasize the importance of commitment and accountability, ensuring that our tribes finish strong.