First, let me provide some background to this story. When it was first published in 1988, Robert Fulgrum, author of All I Ever Needed To Learn, I Learned In Kindergarten, took the publishing world by storm offering a series (actually fifty…) of essays targeted at adults and how they exist in their world by comparing it to the world of a child. I recall reading this since I was early into my career post-graduation and had been offered my first promotion as a Marketing Manager. I was actually recruited by the divisional President and I took this responsibility serious. After all, this would become the second entry on my resume and I wanted this to be a smart decision.

Fulgrum’s book captured my attention because it succeeded in “de-mystifying” the complexities of the adult / business world and put everyday challenges into terms regularly understood by a child. Little did I know this would be a formative moment and in subsequent years I have thought back to those short stories (well before blogs ever existed…) and like to think I applied these principles throughout my own career. Share everything. Play nice. Don’t hit people. Learn some and think some and draw some and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day. Certainly all good lessons to learn.

Later in my career, I found myself in Manhattan attending a trade show and various business meetings. The year was 2002 and one of these meetings happened to be scheduled in the NBC Towers, would include a tour and end up with a cocktail and social function in the famous NBC Rainbow Room. This is where I met Conan O’Brian. This was during the “Late Night” franchise, which ran for over fifteen years. My first impression was “Gee, he is tall” but very affable, engaging and genuinely interested in what we all did. He listened intently, made some interesting comments (perhaps he was simply practicing his ad lib skills…) and came across as warm and inviting. He made an impression and a positive one.

Nearly a decade later in his own career, I watched him navigate the transition from NBC and The Tonight Show and was impressed with how he negotiated with the studio to secure significant severance packages for his Team. Little of the press covered this small, but significant detail. Conan knew what made him successful. The people around him. It made me recall Fulgrum. Share everything. Play nice. It all made sense…

Fast forward to May 2011 and I came across this article penned by Conan O’Brian’s Guide to Creativity about “how” to build something unique and special in the creative market. He likens the process to gambling (“it’s like playing the horses”) but accredits the value and pressure of a schedule. He suggests preparation, preparation and preparation are key attributes but also reminds us to have fun. Again, the theme recurring from astute five year olds surfaces once again. Share everything. Play nice. Have fun. Think how these lifelong value principles could apply to your own career. I know it has helped mine. Perhaps Conan read the same book back in the late 80’s as well…