"Survivor" Mode

This week, we hand?the "Weekly Dose Of?Courage”?keys?over to?my business partner Billy Collins who shares some “Survivor Mode" wisdom as our guest blogger. I’ve known Billy since I was 7 years old so it's quite smile-worthy to work with someone you’ve known since you sported a bowl cut (thanks Mom). Enjoy and happy Friday. ?- Ryan

"Survivor” Mode

By Billy Collins

Outwit. Outplay. Outlast.?

No, I’m not talking?Squid Games.

Yes, I still watch?Survivor.?

The first episode of season 48 aired last week and the self-proclaimed "greatest social experiment on TV" has aired almost 700 episodes. This is one of the few shows my whole family enjoys together but the multigenerational appeal is only part of what keeps me coming back. As I watched last week's?premier, I was struck by how much you can still learn from this social experiment.

As I mentioned, this show has been on for a long time. So players have the chance to gather knowledge before getting to the island. For example, I’m?still?blown away by how many contestants don't know how to make fire. Call me naive but if I get a call back from my application,?the first thing I’ll do is get?flint, some coconut husks & a rusty knife.?

When we talk about Faith in Courage, it's often about putting yourself, your team or your Brand into uncomfortable situations that deep down, you know you have to do. Discomfort is what this social experiment is all?about - living with strangers, racing to crawl through the mud, solving a puzzle while everyone is watching - these challenges push players to their best.?Metaphorically speaking, it’s no different than a self-proclaimed “Corporate America's greatest experiment?- work”. You spend more time than you ever wanted?working with strangers, dealing with "muddy" situations and coming up with solutions as a team.? You?simply can’t?avoid these uncomfortable challenges. Embrace them! It will push?you, your team & your Brand?to places you didn't realize you could go.?

There have been 856 players in the history of Survivor and?only?13?players (1.5% of the field)?have quit, which is a pretty amazing retention rate. Survivor is a showcase of action. People keep applying, keep playing and,?throughout the season,?keep going. Despite the discomfort, despite the mud and mistakes they make, players keep?on?playing. Oh, and, only 5.5% win the game, so despite the long odds, the contestants do not stop. The consistent message from players of this game is that they?discovered?something?- learned something about themselves, about others & about how far they could go - simply through the experience of?stepping into what’s?uncomfortable.? That's the lesson I hope?all?take away from watching this show - from my clients to my kids - usually the good stuff happens when you first opt into “Survivor” mode. Sure, it’s?consciously?stepping into?uncomfortable moments and?doing so repeatedly, but it is the preservice to keep going through those?hard?situations that will shape who?we?are & while growing our depth of?knowledge along the way.

THE COURAGEOUS PODCAST

Co-founding one of the world’s most successful ad agencies, Anomaly, would be a dream moment for most—but for Jason DeLand , it has simply been part of his journey. In this conversation with Ryan, Jason shares how his father’s no-nonsense mantra, “What’s really going on here?”, has fueled his relentless approach to business and beyond. He breaks down the grit and guts behind building one of today’s most iconic agencies—home to groundbreaking campaigns for Budweiser, Beats by Dre, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Coca-Cola. Despite Anomaly’s continued success, Jason remains in pursuit of personal growth, returning to the classroom for a master’s in sports psychology. Plus, he reveals the job interview rejection that solidified his belief in challenging the status quo and staying true to his convictions.

Missed the last 5 Podcasts?

• Entrepreneur & Author of Hello, Fears Michelle Poler
• MVBMS & Adweek Pioneer Ron Berger
• The Firestorm Group w/ Steve Fitzgerald
• Phillip Morris International w/ Marian Salzman
• The 200th episode w/ Micah & Mackenzie Berman

Listen?on Apple Podcasts

Thanks for stopping by for your Weekly Dose of Courage! Don’t forget to hit subscribe above or below to be notified when the next issue comes out.

Ryan Berman is the founder of Courageous; a think-feel-do change consultancy based in Southern California. With 25 years in creative business, Ryan believes your “future is safe with change”. Ryan is a speaker, practitioner, and authority on the subject who has been featured in Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Inc, and Forbes. Ryan has spoken on the topic all over the country including at Google, Procter & Gamble, Snapchat, Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, Logitech, Discover Card, and charity: water. Ryan also hosts The Courageous Podcast where he talks with leaders from around the globe to uncover what it means to be courageous in today's world. His book, Return On Courage, shares why companies need to unlock courage while providing practical tips on how organizations can operationalize courage today.?Learn more at courageous.io