Brian Jeffrey
Controversial Training Method Goes Viral
A video surfaced online on September 23, showcasing an unusual training technique used to motivate a sales team. In the clip, the company president punishes employees with low performance by snapping an elastic band on their wrists, a method that left many on-site in tears.
The footage features a group of polished women on stage interacting with their CEO, who stretches a rubber band against each employee’s wrist before letting it snap back. This action results in visible discomfort, with employees experiencing red, swollen wrists.
As the CEO executed this technique, she fervently exclaimed phrases such as “Not a fit leader,” “Why is the team dishonest?” and “Not trying hard enough.” This confrontational approach led to emotional reactions from the team, with some employees breaking down in tears.
Since the clip’s release, it has sparked significant debate online. While some have condemned the CEO’s methods, others speculate that this was a publicity stunt aimed at enhancing the company’s image.
The video was filmed during a staff meeting of a cosmetics company. One participant, D.T.T, remarked that although she was not featured in the clip, she did participate in the rubber band challenge.
She noted that different levels of difficulty were present, with the most intense version aimed at team leaders. T explained that the main lesson derived from this experience was emphasizing the leaders’ accountability for their team’s shortcomings.
Although T also endured the elastic band punishment, she found it tolerable and gained insights into the pressures faced by her superiors. She and her colleagues came away with the realization that they must strive harder to meet their responsibilities.
In an interview with VietNamNet, T mentioned that she wasn’t overly concerned about the negative public feedback, stating, “People view things differently based on their experiences.” She highlighted that outsiders may struggle to appreciate the lesson worth behind the exercise, as they lack firsthand experience.
T clarified that the discomfort from the snapping was short-lived. Having been part of various training sessions over her years with the company, she considered the exercise a standard part of their rigorous approach.
Hoang Phi Huyen, the CEO of the brand, explained that the clip illustrated a team-building exercise conducted by the company’s sales division. Collaborating with event organizers, they designed mindset games, which included the elastic band challenge.
According to Huyen, all team members were required to simultaneously stretch multiple rubber bands, fostering unity within a group. If a team failed, the leader faced the consequences through the snapping method. The punishment was directed by the business director.
The goal of this activity was to convey the heavy load of responsibility that team leaders carry, highlighting the repercussions their team’s actions have on them.
Although the CEO claimed she was unaware of the specific game beforehand, she found it intriguing and beneficial. She dismissed accusations of it being mere publicity, indicating that the video was posted by her assistant. Following the outcry, she opted to remove the clip from circulation.
