New People - New Set of Rules

Let's tune in again on our friends in Survivor, The Australian Outback to see what we can learn from their interactions with each other.  Remember, even though this is a contest with one winner--unlike the workplace (in most cases)--the way people interact in Australia is very similar to the way people interact in the workplace.  We see disagreements, alliances, team spirit, fear, selfishness and cooperation.  Best of all, we get to learn from OPP - Other People's Pain.

In the previous article A Survivors Guide to Reality PM, we discussed the importance of trust and setting expectations.  This time, our survivors have been facing organizational change.  They have experienced a merger of the two tribes into one dysfunctional unit.  A lot of issues arise here that are similar to those in corporate mergers and layoff situations.  

Former survivor Alicia described the merger of the two tribes this way: "New people - new set of rules."  She was right--tragically and ironically right as it came to pass.  

"It's Just Not Fun Anymore"

Survivor
In the days leading up to the merger, each of the two tribes could think of little else.  Their strategy was to go in as the tribe with the most members.  That way, they could vote as a bloc and gradually expunge the other tribe from existence. They looked for weakness in the other tribe.  Just before the merger, …