By now everyone knows about the fall out at NBC with Conan and Jay, and we all know there are lots of lessons to be learned by corporations on the do’s and don’t’s of proper “HR/employer etiquette”, but there is a flip side to be seen for the employee side of this mess.
I’m not talking about Jay or Conan as the hard-done-by employees and what they can learn from this situation, I’m talking about the employees behind the upper executive employees. The employees who work for and with Jay and Conan, the ones who support them in their day to day goals to produce a great show, helping solidify new ideas, writing new scripts, researching, editing, revising, etc. etc. The backbone to the success of these leaders of late night! What about them!?
They learned the value of loyalty. During the final negotiations with NBC, while winding down his contract, Conan did not forget the people who stood by him day after day, working with him to create a successful show each night. Conan rewarded this loyalty by making sure that his employees were taken care of even after the show finished. At the end of his negotiations he ensured that they received severance packages, and the opportunity to work with him again on future projects as they become available, and you know that Conan will work his magic and bring as many of those loyal employees along with him for the next ride.
This is all fine in TVland you say – not so! This could also be you! I’ve heard over and over again, about situations where employees have worked with someone who allowed them to learn, provided motivation and encouraged them to be part of the team and in turn, they worked hard to play a part in the development of the goals and success of the company, lead by their bosses’ initiatives. They supported that person through thick and thin, and when that leader decided to go on to the next big project or company, their support and hard work was rewarded when they were encouraged to move on with their leader to another great company.
As you develop your career, or as you search for that next great company to continue to develop your career, watch out for those great leaders within your organization. The ones that will teach you, motivate you, inspire you and in turn, you work hard for and develop “Loyalty” - ‘a strong feeling of support or allegiance’. You never know what great opportunities may come of it.
