What John Stewart Taught Us About Company Culture

Being a correspondent on the Daily Show was a seriously good career move. As we watched his past correspondents literally overflow the screen in last week’s grand finale, there was only one inescapable conclusion. Jon Stewart was a world-class mentor and manager. Because — whatever else is true — he was the kind of leader who was strong enough to see that other people reaching their dreams didn’t come at the expense of his own.

Can you imagine a celebration like that for your business someday — where all your past stars came back to share in your big moment — because of how working for you set them up to reach theirs? All you have to do is think back on your career, or that of anyone you’ve ever met, to appreciate how incredibly rare a place like that is, a place with a truly memorable company culture.

What if we tried management and mentoring by his method? Here’s what might be the John Stewart Management Manifesto when it comes to creating a company culture:

1. I never want to be the one standing between someone and their dream, especially if it means leaving here to get there.
2. I want our place to be celebrating out loud when they do.
3. If they need help along the way, I hope they know there’s nothing more I’d like to do than give them a lift.
4. They never have to thank me for how hard they worked while they were here.
5. I’ll take great care with their exit because I know that everyone else is watching — because someday it’s going to be their turn.
6. I’ve decided that helping my current team reach their personal dreams is my recruiting strategy.
7. And that I help them see — more important than anything else — that staying true to your own voice is a risk worth taking.

How does your management style stack up to Jon’s? Is working for you — on whatever scale you’re operating today — an opportunity to grow where they want to go. Or only as far as you feel safe?

Generosity or scarcity. It’s that simple. They’re the two worldviews on the menu of life that we each get to choose from — many times a day. Will we lead from fear, afraid to ‘invest’ in people who might leave? Or will we lead from bigness — Jon Stewart style — and teach them everything we know and hope that they will.

Which reunion party would you rather host?

Originally published at refound.com on August 9, 2015.