The Biggest Loser is one of the most popular shows on TV today–and with good reason. The weight-loss results achieved by the competitors are astounding, and are an inspiration to anyone watching, whether they’re trying to shed a few pounds or not.

This season, one of my kids’ favorite trainers, Jillian Michaels, is back on the scene. If you’ve ever watched the show, you know that Jillian’s approach is not very warm and fuzzy. In fact, she’s tough as nails. And even tougher on the competitors on her team.

In the first few episodes, Jillian’s leadership style was portrayed as:

• overly demanding
• unsympathetic
• harsh and abrasive regarding failure
• dissuasive rather than encouraging

While I’m no personal trainer or weight-loss guru, I know a thing or two about leadership skills. I can only surmise that what applies in a team business scenario should also apply to a team fitness competition. Negativity only begets negativity. If you’re overly critical, harsh, demeaning, and demanding, you’ll get diminished performance in return.

With the Biggest Loser, that seems to be proving true. In the first episode, one of Jillian’s team members left the ranch after the trainer issued her a confrontation ultimatum to work out harder or go home. After that loss, the team as a whole failed to lose enough weight to beat the competition, and another team member was sent packing. After that, the “losers” told Jillian her harsh methods weren’t working for them, and she agreed to tone things down.

It seemed the team was back on track when Jillian tried to inject more positive energy into the group, but she inevitably slipped back into her shouting, demanding ways. Another team member fell short of her weight loss goals, and went home. After four episodes, Jillian’s team was, and is currently, down to one member.

If I were to sit down with Jillian, I would suggest focusing on the good and providing more encouragement. I would offer her the following advice, from a leadership perspective:

• set high expectations without intimidation tactics
• display a modicum of caring and empathy
• push with encouraging, not discouraging, words
• celebrate workout achievements rather than pointing out weaknesses

It’s clear that Jillian is an expert in her field of fitness, but it appears she could learn a thing or two about positive leadership. I’ll admit, however, that the key word in that statement is appears. When it comes to “reality” TV, we don’t always get an accurate, complete, or “real” picture.

Roy McDonald, a family friend who has edited numerous big-name TV shows is the first to admit, “I can follow you around for a week and edit your life to make it exciting or boring. Plus, I have the power in the editing bay to skew things in such a way that you come off as a good person or you could seem very unlikable.”

With that in mind, I’ll have to cut Jillian Michaels a little slack. But the leadership style that is being portrayed, whether enhanced in the editing room or not, is not one to be modeled after or celebrated. To be a leadership winner, you can’t treat your team like a bunch of losers.

–Sheri Staak