Jeff Davis, Program Delivery Sourcer, Manpower Group Solutions
My favorite workplace drama is not “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Mad Men.” It’s “Project Runway.” While “Project Runway” might seem like a fluffy reality show to the unsuspecting eye, I see it as a workplace drama that not only keeps viewers coming back for more but delivers some of the best business advice you will ever receive. Consider the following life lessons from “Project Runway.”
10. One day you’re in, and the next day you’re out
As host Heidi Klum famously says in each episode, “In fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re out.” But the message isn’t true of just fashion. It’s true of business in general. Products and companies that are huge today could be gone tomorrow. Remember 8-tracks? Borders Books and Music? MySpace? All were huge at one point and extinct (or virtually extinct) now. To survive, you must be able to adapt quickly to the changing environment in your industry. Adapt and reinvent yourself or your business and you greatly improve your chance for survival.
9. Whatever your industry, it’s a competition
Some of the best competitors in “Project Runway” history have been notorious for constantly “helping” the competition. Why would you help your competition? To keep your friends close and your enemies closer, of course. The designers who helped those around them (Kenley Collins, anyone?) often stayed in the competition much longer than expected, partially because they were able to keep tabs on their competition and see firsthand their strengths and weaknesses. Understand and study the competitors in your industry. Learn what they do, how they do it, where they’re strong, and where they can improve. Then go home and consider how you can do the same better or cheaper.
8. Understand the value of a dollar
My favorite “Project Runway” challenges are the highly entertaining challenges where the designers are told they must create an outfit on an extreme budget of about $25. There’s always one designer who cries in a corner saying something like, “But I make couture! I don’t make stuff for the discount rack! I can’t do what I do on a budget.” That person’s often the one who fails at the challenge and goes home. To succeed, you must be able to do what you do at a low cost, or at least lower than several of your competitors. As an individual, you must be able to show your return on investment to your company. Be a bargain. Whether your product cost $1 or $100 and whether your salary is $10 an hour or $10 million a year, be worth every penny and then some, and don’t forget to say “Thank you, Mood.”
7. Manage your time
There have been several times in “Project Runway” history where a designer has been on the chopping block or has gone home because their model was nearly naked. “I just didn’t have time to finish,” the designer almost always says, completely ignoring the 10 or so other outfits standing next to them, all impeccably made within just a few hours. Bottom line: No one likes to hear the “I didn’t have time” excuse. If someone else can do what you do in less time, they will steal business from you and will become your biggest nightmare. So set priorities. Give yourself mini-deadlines. Keep a list at your desk of tasks for the day. Stay organized. Learn time management and become someone else’s nightmare.
6. To succeed, you must work well in a group (unless you’re Season 8 winner Gretchen Jones)
At some point in every season of “Project Runway,” there’s a group challenge. And news flash: Every person to win “Project Runway” has successfully gotten through the group challenges. At some point in your career, even if you’re self-employed, you will need to work with others. Whether those people are co-workers, subordinates, or clients, you will need to cultivate those relationships to support those around you and to receive the support from them that you need.
5. To succeed, you must take criticism well (once again, unless you’re Season 8 winner Gretchen Jones)
Want to know the fastest way to leave “Project Runway”? Talk back to judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. In any industry and business, there will be criticism. You know those quarterly reviews that are all the rage? You’ll probably have one eventually. If you’re an employee, be prepared to receive criticism from your boss and absorb and respond to those concerns quickly. Doing so will show your boss that you care about the business and your career and will show that you are adaptable (see point #10). And if you’re an employer or manager, welcome your employees to share any ideas or criticism with you as well.
4. To succeed, you have to rebound
Nearly every winner of “Project Runway” has landed in the bottom two or three at some point in the competition, and they’ve all rebounded. All of us will fall or falter at some point in our lives. We might get fired or laid-off. We might be told we did a disappointing job. Our company might release a product that just doesn’t do well (remember New Coke?). Whatever the case may be, stand back up, learn from what happened, and move on.
3. Take risks
The best design work to come out of “Project Runway” has been garments that look completely unique, different, and unlike anything that’s ever been done. The simple little black dress isn’t likely to impress Heidi Klum. The designers that win “Project Runway” take risks, and so should you. Give your customers what they want, but with a twist. Keep them on their toes, and deliver something that people like but haven’t thought they wanted or needed. Do something daring and risky. There may be times that it won’t pay off, but when it does, the payout is great!
2. Vision outweighs experience
Season 9 winner Anya Ayoung-Chee learned to sew just a few months before the “Project Runway” competition began. However, Anya had interesting ideas and understood how to bring those ideas to life. “Project Runway” rewards creativity and vision just as much if not more than technical ability, skill, and experience. Business works the same way. Granted, if you have ideas and experience, so much the better, but experience and skill without vision is dead in the water.
1. Make it work!
The “Project Runway” mantra of “Make it work!” is easily the most important lesson the show has to give. There will always be challenges and obstacles that we must face in the working world. Take those challenges and obstacles as opportunities, and don’t give up. Make it work!
Jeff Davis is a graduate of UCLA and has an extensive background in Human Resources and Recruiting. He currently works for ManpowerGroup Solutions (www.manpower.com) and specializes in recruiting for positions within the Mining Industry. Jeff currently resides in Austin, TX.
