Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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January 24, 2010

Conan’s Good-bye: 10 of 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 9:06 am

A Lesson in Reputation Management

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At a time that anyone serving the public is aware of the importance of brand and reputation management. It’s still rare to see a fine example of a response to a tough situation that shows authentic, human leadership. The recent NBC / Conan O’Brien situation had so much press that millions of people were following it.

Conan O’Brien’s farewell came after what could be called an unseating, what may have felt a betrayal. His final good-bye was televised. How would he communicate with grace and dignity when a crowds of fans and lawyers are looking at him to recognize what’s been?

10 of 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community

Corporations, small businesses, every one of us could learn a lot from how Conan said good-bye. His words were the careful words of a leader delivered from the heart in a difficult situation. He was visible authenticity, leadership, and grace in these visible ways.

  1. He took control of the situation. Gently, but firmly he said …
    There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can’t say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want.
  2. He told the truth in fair and generous context.
    … between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we’re going to go our separate ways.
  3. He shared his pride and his gratitude.
    But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.
  4. He was honest about state of mind and his feelings of loss.
    Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium.
  5. He celebrated the positive.
    Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second.
  6. He moved the focus to the future.
    I’ve had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun.
  7. He raised up and cherished all who might be his friends.
    And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.
  8. He gave everyone’s investment meaning.
    To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I’ll think about it for the rest of my life. .

  9. He invited everyone to be part of something better.
    All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere.

  10. He offered hope even to the nonparticipants.
    Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.

It took leadership, courage, a sense of humor, and trust in his audience to deliver on that message. If you saw it, you know it was real. Unfortunately, the video has been taken down at YouTube, but you can see it at the Huffington Post.

Conan won day and probably won a huge following of new fans by showing humanity, fairness, and leadership. He kept his focus on who and what mattered and left out who and what did not. He raised us all by not tearing anything down. I hope we’re never faced with such extreme circumstances. If we are, I hope we come back to this example of how to build good relationships from conflict.

Imagine if every corporation, business, and individual demonstrated that same 10 or 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community when conflict occurs.

What was your personal response to Conan’s last words?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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59 Comments to “Conan’s Good-bye: 10 of 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community”

  1. January 24th, 2010 at 9:12 am
    Philip said

    Good morning, Liz. It’s also up on Hulu - every minute of it. I loved the lessons you took from it - he handled it with such grace.

  2. January 24th, 2010 at 9:36 am
    Cheryl Lawson said

    Brilliant post. I like taking current events and turning them into life lessons. While I fell asleep waiting for the show, my East coast Twitter pals told the tale of Conans last show that I felt apart of the process.

    Thanks @phillip, I will check it out on Hulu.

    @partyaficionado

  3. January 24th, 2010 at 9:36 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Philip!
    Ah Hulu! Yeah, I should have linked there too!
    I can’t say how impressed I am with his response to this. He has become a person on my “want to meet” list.

  4. January 24th, 2010 at 9:39 am
    Debbie said

    Conan’s farewell speech was the epitome of “class.” I think he’s an extraordinarily talented comic, and the grace and style he showed in his final conversation with the audience ranks up there with the best of the best.

    I look forward to his next endeavor.

    Your post today is dead on accurate.

  5. January 24th, 2010 at 9:39 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Cheryl,
    It’s rare that someone gets something so right. It only goes to show how invested the man is. He took care to put his head and his heart in the right direction. This is a classic of how to do it right. This post wrote itself. :)

  6. January 24th, 2010 at 9:51 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Debbie,
    I am so in agreement with what you said. When someone asks me how long a piece should be, the answer I give is exactly as many words it takes to do it right and not one word more. Conan did that.

  7. January 24th, 2010 at 10:00 am
    Michael Martine said

    What most impressed me was how he focused on the positive experience of all the good years from before. And really, no matter what happens now, that can’t be taken away from him or the others who shared their lives with him.

    His remark about cynicism being his least favorite quality in people and how it doesn’t get us anywhere was unexpected… but absolutely right on the money. I’ve watched Conan for years, but never knew he felt that way. It explains a lot about his success. It was a great lesson for anyone who chooses to see it.

  8. January 24th, 2010 at 10:21 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Michael,
    My stock and investment in the man went up when I heard and read his response in these words. I only hope that in a similar situation I could do half as well. I agree that we got to see more and better of him in what he said. I, too, was surprised by his cynicism comment, but heartened by it. It made me want to meet the man who said it.

  9. January 24th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
    --Deb said

    I stayed up to watch on Friday and was so impressed by his classiness. It was the perfect good-bye.

  10. January 24th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
    cv harquail said

    Liz,
    Reflecting again on this great post and comparing your insights to what I teach as a mgmt professor, I’m realizing that the two (most) unique things that you saw in Conan’s Goodbye were:
    #7 Giving meaning to everyone’s investment and
    #10 offering hope even to those who hadn’t participated.

    Both of these actions create a very peaceful kind of conclusion to the situation.

    Conan could have claimed to have come to terms with the situation but secretly salted his comments to nourish people’s anger and resentment, but he didn’t. What tremendous maturity that takes.

    And, think of how his comments have expanded his community. For example, I have never really thought much one way or the other about Leno or Conan.. but now I feel an enthusiasm for Conan becuase of the way he extended himself to include others (and me) and to shape how we closed this situation for ourselves.

    This is the kind of action that shows who’s really the winner– and in this case, it is all of us who have taken note of Conan’s Goodby.

    Thanks so much for bringing such insight to this story. You showed me/us something new and important.
    cvh

  11. January 24th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
    Giovanni said

    It was leadership at its best. I agree with Debbie that it was also the epitome of class, something I think is absent way too often.

    It’s interesting, I thought Conan was speaking about himself when he said cynicism is my least favorite quality which for me was the capper on his honesty and authenticity, urging fans not to fall victim to the same things he has battled with.

  12. January 24th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi CV!
    Welcome!
    I think your point about Conan’s encouragement to everyone to move forward that shows his own peace with the situation and maturity is what led me to write about it. I agree that he may have left the stage and the show, but he took a growing audience of fans with him to wherever he might arrive.

    I personally have not been a close follower of his or been much of a fan of his particular humor, but now I’ll be interested in where he goes what projects he puts his mind to making happen. He showed that he’s got some special authenticity and drive.

    I can’t help but think of him as the winner. I’ll be coming back to look at this whenever I might even come close to needing his advice.

    Liz

  13. January 24th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    I agree Deb,
    I can’t think of anything I would add or remove from what he said or a better way that he might have said it. It was class and grace of a leader through and through. Can’t, but respect that. I sure do. :)

  14. January 24th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Giovanni!
    It could very well be that was what he was saying about cynicism in himself and in others too. We often recognize what we don’t like most in ourselves when we see it in others. I’m glad he rose to the ground where he could see the higher view. That’s what leadership is. Yeah.

  15. January 24th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
    Judy Downing said

    Liz,

    You are right on about Conan’s speech. I his behavior during this whole episode to be telling. He stood up for himself and the agreement originally made with NBC regarding the tonight show. He vented his frustration, but always with a sense of humor. He kept going despite the tremendous pressure. He stood up for his staff.

    Also interesting was the fact that for the last bit of his last show, he chose to play guitar, effectively fading from the main person on stage to part of a group. That last scene, for me, underscored the words in his speech with a lasting visual.

  16. January 24th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
    girl startup said

    I’m from Australia, so I have heard of Conan but I don’t really know the story behind his departure. Anyone care to elaborate?

    Thanks :)

  17. January 24th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Judy,
    That last image you mention is another way that he put himself into the group … just as you point out. It’s a key to leadership to know when to step away from the lights and fade into the background.

    thank you for bringing that up. :)

  18. January 24th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Girl Startup,
    Basically the plot is this:
    Every comic wants to hold the title of Host of the Tonight Show … the longest running talk show on American TV. Handed down to a new successor from the old. Earned through years of work as the followup guy. Conan got that slot and they offered the previous host a prime time. Ratings tanked. Affiliate stations complained. When that happened they wanted to give the previous host back his old time slot and push Conan’s show back an hour. He refused. Conflict and separation resulted.

  19. January 24th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
    Chris Catania said

    I was getting tired of hearing about all the Conan NBC drama, but your post really put a great “take away” context on the whole thing. Thanks for guiding my mind to a higher perspective on the situation. ;)

  20. January 24th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
    Marla Schulman said

    Like Chris above me, I was getting tired of it all being played out in the press, with all the pundistas playing out the drama, conflict and trying to make more of this than what it was - a business decision on NBC’s part (I wonder if NBC had been brave enough to hold Leno at 11:30 and ask Conan to wait it out longer before making the shift - this could have been averted all together) but all that speculation aside, Conan did himself, his staff and his fans new and old proud. Special mention to Jay Leno who also stayed above the fray….and honorable mention to David Letterman who fell on his own sword when his indiscretions could have destroyed his career.

    All the points you make in your post, if followed by those in the limelight, could put all those raggy tabloids out of business by allowing celebs to manage their own reputations through good and bad times - wouldn’t that be something, heh?
    Great post Liz - thank you!

  21. January 24th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
    Goodbye My Love, Goodbye Conan O’Brien : You Offend Me You Offend My Family said

    [...] in the world: because he has the character of a prince.  (And if you don’t believe me, the Successful Blog thinks Conan’s pretty special [...]

  22. January 25th, 2010 at 4:57 am
    Rich Hill said

    Liz,

    Very nice report. I saw it and I think it was the first sincere bit that Conan ever did. Sincerity is not what we who watched him ever expected or looked for.

    The man is a class act far beyond his goofiness and I for one can’t wait for seven months to pass. In the meantime i will be checking out the 7-11 parking lots.

  23. January 25th, 2010 at 7:40 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Chris,
    Like I didn’t think much about the press on the whole thing. A lot of what they were discussing didn’t seem to be much of my business. But this statement was compelling and something I learned from.

    Thank you for taking time to check it out. I appreciate your comment and your thoughts about what I found. :)

  24. January 25th, 2010 at 7:58 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Marla,
    It was quite the big deal in the news and I ignored most of that. Though I wondered about the personal effect of the situation made so public. No one likes to be told their job is going away, particularly when it affects so many others as well. Quite frankly to those of us who make much less than they do, we have different sorts of problems to worry about.

    It was his example of being above it that moved me to become a fan and interested in where he shows up now.
    I agree it’s a quality set that I’d like to see more of!

  25. January 25th, 2010 at 9:50 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Rich!
    Exactly. The unexpectedness of it made it even more impressive. :)

  26. January 25th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
    Lorelle said

    As usual, well done, Liz.

    Many years ago I worked in temp jobs, traveling all over the region taking over for others temporarily. People adored me and my skills, but it was a fine line to replace the person while not replacing them permanently.

    Conan took to the job brilliantly. I was never too thrilled with Jay Leno’s biting humor but Conan was brilliant and gave us “the people’s funny” while still staying intelligent and constructive in criticism and jokes. While he wasn’t a temp, he’s become one, so it will be interesting to see how Leno fairs when he steps back into those famous placeholder shoes in the Tonight Show - and how others will compare between them.

    I think the Conan left those shoes in very good order and the job will go on, which also says a lot about his integrity.

    Thanks for helping us to see this from the bigger picture.

  27. January 25th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
    Carla Marie Ciampa said

    Thank you for writing this summary Liz! Conan is a huge lesson for us all in leaving gracefully. Business is business, and show business, like the rest of business, is a small world. Nobody wants an employee known for sour grapes. Being known as someone who can keep their eye on the horizon is a valuable quality.

  28. January 25th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
    What’s New and Interesting in Social Media | pamorama said

    [...] Conan’s Good-bye: 10 of 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community [...]

  29. January 25th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Lorelle,
    That’s such an important word, “integrity.” It lives on beyond the moment. It lives on beyond what we’re thinking to when we look in the mirror. It lives in our hearts and lives in the hearts of the folks who hear us. He stepped up and was visible authenticity. What more could we ask of a person? Awesome actually.

    Yeah, Leno is going to have some shoes to fill …

  30. January 25th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thank you, Carla, for taking the time to tell me what you think about all of this.
    He did show some valuable qualities. The key point is on the value. Yes?

  31. January 25th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
    Brady said

    Great article reputation management as far as Conan…tell me to hit the road and fill my pockets I will succeed in rep management also. Either way I really enjoyed how you summarized his last show!

  32. January 25th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
    Steve said

    I agree, a very class act. Along the same lines I was similarly struck with John McCain’s concession speech after the presidential election. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/us/politics/04text-mccain.html

    I imagine when life’s moments are upon almost any one of us we would hope that we would rise to the occasion and deliver such a class act.

  33. January 25th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
    Danny Brown said

    Have to agree, Liz - that final goodbye was the epitome of class and dignity. Wouldn’t want to be Leno, following on from that.

    Although, to be fair, the lead-up to the final exit was anything but dignified from both parties, so nice to see it end the way it did.

  34. January 26th, 2010 at 8:33 am
    Theresa Zagnoli said

    Great post Liz. What I thought was most brilliant about his farewell was Conan’s sincerity. Every when postively acknowledging his 20 year relationship, which had been obviously rocky recently, he was honest, sincere and to the point.

    Many speculated that his finale would be critical and negative. It is nice to see someone take the high road. In the long run, his choice to stay positive will serve him better in his career and in life.

  35. January 26th, 2010 at 8:57 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Brady,
    You can give a tons of money, but that only goes so far to assuage taking away his dream job when he’s just got there — especially when the change done so publicly and made by some to look like his failure to perform. The whole thing had to seem like a celebrity divorce to all of them in some ways. Hard not to take that personal.

    I agree that it must have made the reputation management a little easier. I also think some folks never would have gotten there.
    Thanks for your encouragement. You’re not a stranger anymore. :)

  36. January 26th, 2010 at 10:28 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Steve,
    Great point. It’s a leader who can look into a loss and rise up to find something positive and worth moving forward with. Thank you for pointing to John McCain’s own version of doing the same thing. We don’t have enough examples of this.

  37. January 26th, 2010 at 10:31 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    I agree, Danny.
    I didn’t pay much attention to what went before this last speech. I wasn’t interested in the mud fight or the bickering. I don’t think the press shed much light on the good of that either.

    I’m glad to see that all concerned dusted themselves off and moved forward when the air was clear.

  38. January 26th, 2010 at 10:33 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Teresa,
    I am with you. It’s clear to me that finding the way that served his audience will serve him too. Everyone got something good from the way he handled his last bit. :)

  39. January 26th, 2010 at 11:02 am
    Ryan Graves said

    Great recap. I was never obsessed w/ Conan like others but through this event he’s really proven himself to be a top notch guy and an incredible entertainer.

  40. January 26th, 2010 at 11:11 am
    C. Enrique Ortiz said

    Two other:

    11. He took care of his own crew (he negotiated $12+ million for them)

    12. He managed a profitable exit (with more than $30M for himself

    ceo

  41. January 26th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Ryan,
    Like you, I wan’t a Conan fan before this, but he’s gotten my attention by the way he handled his exit. I’m going to be watching him now. :)

  42. January 26th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Yep, Enrique,
    Those two points are also important ways he showed leadership in a tough conflict. I’m with you on that. :)

  43. January 26th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
    Saom Hiero said

    I think this is overstated and overrated far too much now. If you bad mouth your employer and bring zero results then you are bound to get fired.

    I am glad he got fired over what he did, and who watches his stupid moves anyway.

  44. January 26th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
    maverick00010 said

    Nice and impressive post thanks a lot for sharing.

  45. January 26th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Saom,
    Thanks for your insight. We can’t all agree on everything. But you took the time to write this and I appreciate that.

  46. January 26th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    thanks, Maverick,
    For taking the time to say that. :)

  47. January 27th, 2010 at 12:55 am
    Ruby said

    I’ve heard a few people say that this is the first time they’ve ever seen Conan get serious, or choked up…. When the show came back on air after 9/11 Conan gave a very honest, heartfelt speech that night. I’m sure it must be online somewhere. I’ve always remembered how touching it was to see that side of him, and expected nothing less than that for his final show.

    I really loved his speech. I’ve watched it a few times now and think it’s great advice to take with you - especially on those tough days where blaming everyone else for your problems is just so much easier.

    I’ve been a Conan fan since his first season and will watch whatever channel he ends up on :)

    Awesome article, btw… It’s goin in my Favorites :)

  48. January 27th, 2010 at 9:36 am
    Jayasimhan said

    watch it on Hulu

    http://www.hulu.com/watch/122598/the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien-fri-jan-22-2010

  49. January 27th, 2010 at 10:52 am
    aureliano garcia said

    I am personally a Letterman fan. I just like his style and kind of humor.

    I don’t like Leno, at all. I saw Conan from time to time and I felt he was very good, and had great potential to do more and better stuff with time.

    However, this NBC fiasco really helped him boost his image in a way nobody ever imagined could happened.

    Conan really took advantage of the situation and had a fantastic row of shows in the last week of transmision. He laughed, got serious, played with the situation,mocked himself and NBC, did a great job on the “crazy expensive” comedy bits and he closed in a classy and hiper inteligent way.

    I only have a couple of questions:

    1) Was this all planned by NBC?

    2) Conan’s final speech. Did he write it?.Is this the way he wanted to leave or was this a mixture of his mind, his writer’s minds and the network ’s executives minds?

    I hope it all was as transparent as it seemed. I hope we can get to see Conan again very soon.

    But this is TV..Just anything can happen. I guess.

    Best regards

    aureliano garcia

  50. January 27th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
    Sam Mahlstadt said

    Liz,
    I love the concepts you pulled from his farewell. For being considered the future of late night talk shows, and then getting run out, he handled himself extraordinarily. I wrote a blog post right after I watched the show about how young leaders should listen to his words on cynicism. He provided a great model.

  51. January 28th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
    Amy @ Living Locurto said

    I missed this speech. Now I can’t wait to watch it and take note of your break down in the speech. I’ve always liked Conan, now I like him even more.

  52. January 28th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
    BandonRandon said

    This is a classic story of greed by NBC. I’m proud of Conan for staying true to himself and his beliefs though it all. I really liked the way you brought it into perspective of community. I would say Conan has defiantly won the popular vote and will have a new show soon(after September)

  53. January 29th, 2010 at 7:34 am
    Dahveed said

    Conan showed his true colors during his departure negotiations when he insisted his staff also get a severance package. How many times does a modern CEO sell the biz, get a golden parachute and everyone else gets the axe. Conan took care of his people and they’ll always take care of him for it.

    NBC gave him poop and he made gold from it simply by being above the name calling and petty jealousies that many of us would have engaged in. The big losers were NBC and Jay Leno who now are looking like jerks. Conan is going to end up on TV as soon as his non-compet is up.

    I believe Conan did this because he genuinely feels this way. This isn’t part of an act. Like I said, its his true colors.

  54. January 29th, 2010 at 10:06 am
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    [...] Explanation of WHY Conan’s Final Speech Was Great [...]

  55. January 30th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
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    [...] Conan’s Good-bye: 10 of 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community | Liz Strauss at Successful Bl… [...]

  56. February 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Amy,
    Missed his speech too, but I found it online and wanted to know more about his reaction. The deeper I looked at it the more impressed I became. Can’t wait to talk to you about it at Blissdom!

  57. February 1st, 2010 at 11:19 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey BandonRandon,
    I’m with you. I think Conan walked away, taking his audience and more with him. It was a class exit very few could have won!

  58. February 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Dahveed,
    Welcome,
    I think as you do that his gesture to protect his staff in a way beyond the usual was admirable. I’ve helped build a company and been left with only great memories and friendships while others got much more. I’m not mad, but it makes me wonder why they handled it that way.

    I do think, as you said, Conan’s behavior showed what he’s made of. Kudos to him. :)

  59. February 4th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
    Creative Class » Blog Archive » Quitting on twitter or #madashell.notgonnatakeitanymore - Creative Class said

    [...] professional, as this article suggests Conan O’Brien should have been more diplomatic, although his détente final words may have done the trick.What was your most creative quitting story? What quitting fantasies have you [...]

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