Top 3 Life Lessons From “Survivor”

The pandemic has resulted in a scarcity of TV viewing choices. Streaming platforms have attempted to fill the gap by bringing back classics and have also opened the door to a lot more sub-par programming.

As a result, my daughter and I have rediscovered the CBS show “Survivor” (on Hulu). I watched seasons 1 and 2 back when it was on CBS and then got turned off when they announced the winner of Season 2 - It was anticlimactic. The runner up had earned his way to the final two and the winner just happened to tag along (in my opinion). But that is all a part of the game, I guess.

Back then, it was a three to four month commitment to get through a season! Now, we can get through a season in a week. Yes, I admit, it is very tempting to binge.

We’ve watched about 11 seasons to this point. The part we really enjoy is watching the interaction between people and how that ultimately defines who gets to be selected as the winner. Now, much like in real life, it is not always the most deserving that wins. It’s who you know, and whether you’ve made good or bad relationships with people. Sound familiar?

The “Outwit, Outlast, Outplay” tag is fitting for the nature of the show but bringing it back to real life, it is more about bringing our BEST self forward. Challenge yourself, learn new things, and be innovative in both your thinking and creations.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

A few of my favorite winners include, Yul, Cochran, Jeremy, and Natalie. They all seem to have similar qualities. There are also some winners that don’t fit this category and could even be considered polar opposites of these favorites. I’ll save that analysis for another day though.

This is my assessment on why Yul, Cochran, Jeremy, and Natalie are well-liked winners:

1. They are not obnoxious. Easy right? There’s nothing more annoying than condescending, know-it-alls, and people who lack courtesy or emotional intelligence. This behavior increases your chances of being “eliminated”.
2. They listen and observe. Self awareness and awareness of one’s surroundings is a mandatory skill in any type of leadership situation. It helps you build stronger relationships by understanding how people function in certain environments (and with certain people).
3. They build trust. Without trust, there is nothing. There can be no friendships or “alliances” which in turn reduces your chances of advancing (your purpose). Building trust is about being genuine and helping others without the fear of “losing”. 

Now all these strategies don’t guarantee a win in “Survivor” (there have been some downright non-endorsable methods over the years), and have also backfired in some cases.

However, these principles will definitely put you on the right path in your life, career, or business.