In order to get superior ratings, reality T.V. shows are carefully staged and designed for conflict.  There are many office environments that are staged and designed for conflict.  Sometimes this is a conscious decision, sometimes it isn't.

As with a reality T.V. show, employees go through a selection process to attain the opportunity to perform.  With a reality show, you have certain stereotypical characters showing up:  The diva, the bully, the nerd, the "goody two shoes", the rebel, the brain, the cry baby, the "tattle-tale", the victim, the underminer...  the formula works well on T.V. because conflict sells, sells, sells. 

In the business environment we end up with people with the same behavioral patterns and the conflict that evolves can be either constructive or devastating.   To state the obvious, situations get out of control when there is no leadership and where the leaders are competent, they harness the conflict and create balance. 

So back to the reality T.V. show.  The star of the show is the decision maker, the so called "leader".  The show is all about the star and their personal objective and so the star creates elaborate tests designed to bring out the true character of each participant.  This information is used to determine whether or not the participants can proceed to the next round or if they will be sent home with their suitcase trailing behind them. 

The business environment is not always this simple.  There are legal and cultural implications of termination decisions and more than one person makes decisions about the corporate objectives - not a personal objective.   Decision making is a lot more complicated in business because personal objectives sometimes infiltrate corporate decisions and create decisions that may not be optimal for the whole team.  Also, you are usually stuck with the WHOLE team after a decision is made. 

The T.V. reality show environment is usually a competition.  While there may be some corporate cultures that encourage competition, if the competition is not healthy, this can lead to morale and performance issues, and ultimately turnover. 

So here is the deal.  The Corporate environment is multilayered with different types of complexities.  The same types of people show up in reality shows as they do in corporate environments so it takes conscious leadership, employee development, clear communication channels and a culture that values its employees to navigate the day to day "episodes" of conflict and create superior results.