The Apprentice: All talk and no action

There is no doubt that Melody has an impressive CV: being tutored by world leaders including the Dalai Lama and Al Gore. Winning a number of awards and running a Global Industry. Then why don't I take her seriously and respect her?

Really it is the outlandish self promotion; the talking; the inability to answer the question 'What do you do?'; the arrogance. In our youth, we all over emphasise our achievements, but we learn when to stop and when not to over exaggerate. Yet Melody's exaggeration appears to be a business version of those X Factor candidates, that despite being tone deaf, really believe they are star singers.

Of course, for the BBC, Melody was gold dust; she provided excellent TV with her memorable claims and quotes, and her obvious business flaws. It was hilarious that she was unable to explain the nature of her business: something that anyone would ask - and demand a simple explanation.

However, my concern is that she is obviously a role model for young people; she coaches in communication skills, yet she had a style that invited ridicule and disbelief. Is exaggerating experience really going to win a young person a job, or investment in new business? Is this communication style going to win a young person respect in an adult world?

Recently I was an invited guest at a conference. One of the speakers was a beautiful young woman, who specialised in 'communications'. She spent her 30 minute speech, talking herself up, and outrageously name dropping. Her feedback marks were very low, with some devastating comments. At no time did she engage her audience; she never indicated how she might help of assist any of the businesses represented at the conference, and as a result, didn't create any possibility of trust or of any future rapport. It was a puffed up presentation by someone that gave little indication that she could cope with anything more demanding that the primary school tuck shop, with adult help. I have no idea how good this woman was at her job, but her communication and presentation style was flawed.

Youthful optimism and lack of fear is such a powerful tool, and one that we all want to encourage within young people. However, this style of communication, and mind set is doing no favours to our young people. There are plenty of fabulous young people, however, the promotion of this style of b***shitting, as being in any way acceptable, is risible - and won't lead to any more people being able to win investment for their businesses or job offers.

The crazy thing was that for a moment, we saw a less arrogant Melody in 'Your Fired'. She suddenly became the 26 year old that she is: passionate, wanting to learn and humble. It was only for a brief second, but it left me sad that she wasn't able to be herself - rather she'd decided to portray herself as a Global Leader.