Jay Leno to Conan O’Brien: A Lesson Learned
Jay Leno has been hosting the Tonight Show for 17 years. That’s almost two-thirds of my life. I’ve grown up with Leno, so watching him leave was bittersweet.
As I watched this interview, I quickly saw that there was some major life lessons happening: Transition, leadership, unemployment (what will become of John Melendez?), and passing the baton to a new generation.
Then I thought, “What can those in leadership in the Church learn from Leno?” Watch this video and find out. (Unfortunately, NBC hasn’t gotten the clue yet that shoving ads down our throat doesn’t work. There’s a 15-second ad on the front end.)
If you’re “fast-forwarded” (a.k.a. impatient), watch the last 40 seconds of the video. That’s where the real gem comes out:
“I couldn’t be any happier. You were the only choice. You were the perfect choice … Good luck next week, my friend.”
This is how transition of leadership is supposed to be done. This is text book. Jay genuinely believes in Conan and he shows this by:
1. Affirming the new leader (Couldn’t be happier…”).
2. Building the confidence of the new leader (“only choice…”).
3. Building the confidence of those being lead (“perfect choice…”).
4. Handing over the reigns with joy (“my friend…”).
I know I, for one, was touched. I can only hope that when my day comes to ride off into the sunset, I am as gracious and supportive with the next generation as Jay Leno has been for Conan O’Brien.
In the words of Leno, it may “only be a talk show,” but that is how leadership is done. What did you learn?
Couldn't agree more. It was a very cool thing to watch on Friday.
I must admit, I got a little emotional … Veclemped, some might say.
Trying the new Facebook connect option out! Now you can comment using your Facebook Profile!
I'm with you on the transition of leadership moment. Now for what really does not matter. I wondered what the real spelling of "veclemped" might be. Don't know if it can be trusted, but I went to the yiddish dictionary online and they say it's farklemt…
I don't watch their shows, but I did for years. And I, too, felt a bit nostalgic about the hand-off.
I thought some of the same things!! I will miss Jay!
Jay was a staple in my life….much like "Friday Night Flicks", 'SNL">>the 80's, playing Asteroids….WHO'S with me!…..a tear roles down my face….its been fun JAY!
I learned that I don't have to watch the Tonight Show because you watch it and you'll pull out the good stuff for me and deliver it to my Google Reader the next morning.
peace|dewde
El Dewde
I am here to help.
Amen.
I don't think that the issue of generational hand-offs gets enough press. It might be one of THE issues that will affect our society in the next 5-10 years. By most estimates the last Baby Boomer will retire from the mainstream workforce by 2015. Given current economic trends many of them will most likely consult or start 2nd and 3rd careers – but what is means is that there will be a mass turnover of seats of power across every sector.
How this hand-off goes has massive implications. I won't spell them out, if you like to think about these things I'm sure you can list them. This is especially important when it comes to organizations that run like (or actually are) family businesses. A lot of churches run this way. There is a unique power in the hands of the patriarch or matriarch to build up or destroy the rising generations. I've seen one of these hand-offs go awfully and blow people up. I've also seen gracious leaders go the way of Jay Leno. Thanks for throwing this out there J – I'm constantly trying to grow in my capacity to lead towards legacy as opposed to protecting my own accomplishments or ability to control the future.