If Your Business Was a Reality Show...

Running a business is a lot like starring in a reality TV show—there’s drama, unexpected challenges, competition, and hopefully, some big wins. If your business had its own reality series, what kind would it be? Let’s take a lighthearted look at how different business styles match up with some of the most popular reality TV shows.

1. Shark Tank – The Hustler’s Playground

🦈 Your Business If…

• You’re constantly pitching new ideas and hustling for investment.
• You love high-stakes negotiations and think every problem can be solved with a killer elevator pitch.
• Your office motto? “Know your numbers or you're out.”

💡 Reality Check:
Shark Tank-style businesses thrive on innovation and big-picture thinking, but don’t forget that real success comes from execution, not just pitching. Even the best ideas fail without strong systems and follow-through.

2. Survivor – The Ultimate Office Politics

🔥 Your Business If…

• Every day feels like a test of endurance.
• You’ve seen alliances form, break, and rebuild before lunch.
• You have an “immunity idol” (aka, a key client or connection) that keeps you safe.

💡 Reality Check:
Survival is important, but if your workplace feels like a never-ending elimination challenge, it might be time to build a stronger culture of collaboration instead of competition. No one wants to be voted off the island (aka quit) because of office drama.

3. The Great British Bake Off – A Supportive, Creative Culture

🍰 Your Business If…

• Your team values kindness and craftsmanship.
• You believe business should be challenging but fun.
• Even when things go wrong, you encourage each other with a “Good try!” instead of harsh criticism.

💡 Reality Check:
A supportive culture creates loyal employees and great work, but make sure you’re balancing kindness with accountability. You still need clear goals, deadlines, and a solid strategy—otherwise, it’s just a lot of good vibes and half-baked results.

4. The Office – A Comedy of Workplace Chaos

😂 Your Business If…

• You’ve got a mix of quirky personalities that somehow (mostly) get the job done.
• Meetings sometimes feel like an episode of “This Could Have Been an Email.”
• Your boss (or you) might have said, “I am Beyoncé, always.”

💡 Reality Check:
A fun, laid-back office can be great for morale, but don’t let it slide into unproductive chaos. If your team spends more time reenacting memes than hitting sales goals, it might be time to introduce a little structure.

5. The Amazing Race – Fast-Paced and Always on the Move

✈️ Your Business If…

• Speed is your competitive advantage.
• You and your team are constantly traveling, launching new products, or chasing big deals.
• You live by the motto: “Go, go, go!”

💡 Reality Check:
Speed is great, but if you’re always rushing, you might be missing important details. Make sure your team has time to reflect, strategize, and avoid burnout. Even the best racers need a pit stop.

6. Kitchen Nightmares – The Business in Need of a Turnaround

😬 Your Business If…

• There’s a lot of potential, but the systems (or people) are a mess.
• Your processes are outdated, and customers are frustrated.
• You might need a Gordon Ramsay-level intervention to fix things.

💡 Reality Check:
The good news? Every struggling business has the potential to turn things around. The key is acknowledging the issues, embracing change, and implementing real solutions—before someone starts shouting, “Shut it down!”

7. Big Brother – Always Watching, Always Strategizing

📹 Your Business If…

• You have cameras, trackers, or detailed metrics on everything.
• You know what every team member is doing at all times.
• There are definite “alliances” forming between departments.

💡 Reality Check:
It’s great to track performance, but too much surveillance or micromanagement can hurt morale. Trust your team, set clear expectations, and let people do their jobs without feeling like they’re under constant observation.

Which Show is Your Business?

Every business has its own unique personality, challenges, and quirks. Maybe your company is a mix of Shark Tank (big ideas), Great British Bake Off (great culture), and The Amazing Race (fast-moving). Or maybe you see a little Survivor or Kitchen Nightmares in your daily grind.

Make Your Show a Success

No matter what “reality show” your business resembles, the goal should always be growth, teamwork, and long-term success. If your company feels like a bad season of a struggling series, it might be time to shake things up—bring in better leadership, improve processes, or refocus your culture...or even introduce a business operating system!

Ryan Giles