Undercover Boss is CBS primetime’s newest reality show.  The show, from executive producer Stephen Lambert (Wife Swap, Secret Millionaire), follows CEOs from major companies as they go undercover to see how their companies really work.   I saw the first episode, centered on Larry O’Donnell, president and chief operating officer of Houston-based Waste Management Inc., as he donned a WM jumpsuit; the cover-story for the camera-crew accompanying him was that WM employees were told it was a documentary about someone trying out for entry-level jobs.  He was so slow at gathering trash on a Boca Raton, Florida landfill that his supervisor fired him.

Here’s an Undercover Boss review by Ken Tucker, who didn’t particularly care for the show.  I really enjoyed it.  O’Donnell worked on an assembly line with a woman who had to gobble her lunch down in 30 minutes and race to clock in lest she be docked 2 minutes for every minute she was late.  He worked with a woman who smilingly did the job of 4 people, and who invited him to her home for dinner with her extended family of 6 or 7.  They were about to lose their home, but everyone was pleasant and genuinely happy.

When O’Donnell came home from work each day, he was bone tired, back aching, and he lost sleep over thinking about the way things are for the people who work for him.  The ones who have to rush through their jobs and lunch breaks and scurry like mice to get it all done, when he was the one who initially sent down the order for increased productivity.  He was clearly moved as he did the after hours debriefing to the camera.  He was so moved that he wanted to make changes.  And he was in a position to make those change, and make them he did.

To me, that’s what good reality tv is all about. I like shows with a message, especially a message that shows people how capable they really are, that what they do really matters, and that you never know who your words will reach – and who your good attitude inspires – that can help you make changes that benefit everyone.

I think it’s a good idea to act at every moment as if your boss is watching you, because that makes you want to do your best.  Work as if you are working for the very Beloved itself.  I feel inspired when I do that.

So I give Undercover Boss a big thumbs up.  Yes, stupid people will say stupid things, but reality tv and undercover cameras teach us that there are consequences to what we say and do.  It gives people the chance to take responsibility for what they say and who they say it to.

It also gives people hope that the new one alongside them may be a ‘mole” reporting back to management, so why not just do the best job, and have the most upbeat attitude and go out of your way to get along with everyone.  What if everyone, everywhere did that?

Wow, I want to work there.  Oh wait I already do.

Andrea

In case the FTC is wondering, I am not endorsing anyone.

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