50 Lessons About the Right People from 50 Years of Saturday Night Live

Fifty years of Saturday Night Live is certainly cause for celebration. For five decades, SNL has been a cultural touchstone, not just a launching pad for comedic genius or a reliable destination for laughs and cultural commentary, but a testament to the power of the Right People working and succeeding together. SNL proves that success isn't built in a vacuum—it's the product of a carefully curated team of top talent, strong leadership and an ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. Naturally, we give that a standing ovation.

Just as SNL has navigated 50 years of cultural shifts, cast changes and creative challenges to become the stuff of legend, companies of every size across every industry face similar battles every day—and we know that finding the Right People at every level is essential to their success, today and into the future. We've seen how organizations that embrace a philosophy of "Engage Evolve Excell" set themselves apart and leave their mark. 

Whether you’re a Fortune 50 company or a startup ready to shock the world, whether your organization needs new skill sets or just wants more cowbell, we invite you to join us as we explore 50 lessons in talent, leadership, creativity, adaptability and perseverance learned from SNL’s 50 years.

Live from New York, it’s…ECLARO? Well, our world headquarters is only a few blocks from the home of Saturday Night Live, after all…

1. "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" (Clear Vision): Just as SNL has a clear mission that drives its performance every Saturday night, every company needs a defined vision to attract the Right People who will thrive there and uniquely support the organization’s vision.
2. The Original Not Ready for Prime-Time Players (Finding Potential): SNL’s early success proved that potential can be more valuable than polished experience, in the right situation. Every business can benefit from being able to identify those diamonds in the rough and giving them a chance to shine.
3. Lorne Michaels (Strong Leadership): How many leaders do you know who were in place when an organization was founded 50 years ago and who are still a guiding light to this very moment? SNL creator Lorne Michaels is a rare example of how vision and strong leadership set the tone for ongoing success, fostering creativity, encouraging collaboration, and driving collective outcomes.
4. Gilda Radner and Jim Belushi (Unique Talent): It took a special eye for talent to bring the likes of Gilda Radner and Jim Belushi onboard at the start of SNL. Their special comedic brilliance reminds us that unique talent is invaluable—and so is working with people who know how to find that unique talent for your organization and bring it onboard.
5. "Weekend Update" (Staying Current): Staying current with industry trends is crucial—strong organizations thrive by staying on top of the latest trends and finding the Right People with the skills and knowledge to put that -up-to-the-minute knowledge to work.
6. "The Coneheads" (Culture Fit): While hilarious, the Coneheads also remind us that culture fit is essential--and not easy. A candidate's skills and experience are only part of the equation when building a team--the right culture fit can also play a key role in success. 
7. "Wayne's World" (Niche Expertise): How many people can gain a cult following by filming a show in their parents’ basement? It took niche expertise for Wayne and Garth to stand out in a crowd--and they had that "special something" that made them such a hit. Whatever that special something is, there's value in specialized skills and niche talents. 
8. "More Cowbell" (Passion and Enthusiasm): Christopher Walken's insistence on "more cowbell"—and Will Ferrell’s ultimate dedication to that oddly memorable musical moment—highlights the importance of passion and enthusiasm. When you hire people who are genuinely excited about their work, and have leaders who can inspire them to bring that passion into the spotlight, unforgettable results can occur.
9. "Landshark" (Resourcefulness): The Landshark reminds us that resourcefulness and never giving up are essential in any professional pursuit. If one avenue doesn’t lead you to success, try another. And then another.
10. "Super Bass-O-Matic '76" (Innovation): Just like the Super Bass-O-Matic, innovation is key...and so is a partner who can help you find talent to drive innovation in your organization.
11. "The Blues Brothers" (Teamwork): Jake and Elwood's musical partnership exemplifies the power of teamwork like few other acts in all of showbiz. A cohesive team and fostering a belief in one another (and perhaps some very cool shades) are essential for success.
12. "Mr. Bill" (Outsourced Talent): During the very first season of SNL, fans were asked to send in home movies. The Claymation spoof that was Mr. Bill, sent in by Walter Williams, became such a favorite that Williams was ultimately brought in to augment the show’s staff as a writer.
13. "Celebrity Jeopardy!" (Knowledge Is Power): You never want to be a know-it-all, or Celebrity Jeopardy!’s Sean Connery character, but amid the laughter and absurd moments that sketch always reminds us that knowledge is power.
14. "The Californians" (Communication): The Californians' drawn-out conversations always made us laugh, but more important they underscore the importance (and challenge, at times) of clear communication, no matter who your audience.
15. "Digital Shorts" (Embracing New Technologies): Could anyone have imagined iPhones, AI, the internet…well, pretty much any of the technology that drives our daily lives right now? SNL's embrace of digital shorts shows the importance of being open to adapting to new technologies and weaving them into the fabric of your ongoing success.
16. Eddie Murphy (Adaptability): Eddie Murphy's rapid rise showcased the importance of adaptability as a performer and for the show, which quickly learned to showcase Murphy's rising star, then learned to adapt when he left for a big-screen career. Businesses that are be agile and embrace change, that support talent and adjust to its needs.
17. Recurring Characters (Consistency): Imagine if you’d seen the Church Lady or the Festrunk Brothers or Hans and Franz or any number of classic characters only once. Just as SNL relies on recurring characters, and their formulas for success, to keep fans coming back for more, businesses need consistent processes and systems to continuously deliver excellence and keep clients coming back for more.
18. Guest Hosts (Fresh Perspectives): We love the consistency of the regular cast from week to week, but the guest hosts bring a fresh perspective to SNL that always creates buzz and keeps things exciting. Presidents, Oscar winners, musical legends…hats off to the team that brings in that incredible talent on a regular basis.
19. Musical Guests (Diverse Skill Sets): SNL’s range of musical guests have elevated the show to must-see TV from the moment Billy Preston and Janis Ian performed on the very first show. Bringing in special performers to give the main cast a broader range of skills and appeal to the show’s various (and evolving) audiences, SNL leaders showed the power of external talent sources.
20. Dress Rehearsal (Practice and Preparation): No matter how many times they’ve had success, the SNL team makes sure it is ready for the next show--and they know they must always prepare. The dress rehearsal emphasizes the importance of practice and preparation from every member of the team, no matter how seasoned an organization may be. 
21. The Writers' Room (Collaboration): The writers' room is where the magic happens—and while individual writers can shine, everybody contributes. Great companies foster a collaborative environment where ideas from everyone can flourish.
22. Cold Open (Making a Strong First Impression): The cold open sets the tone for every show, and the best ones go down in TV history. Making a strong first impression—whether you’re a job seeker on an interview or company meeting with a potential client or job candidates—is often key to making a lasting impression.
23. Monologue (Showcasing Talent): The guest host always gets to be part of the skits, but the monologue is a stage that showcases their talent all on its own. Magical moments can happen when employees get opportunities to shine and put their unique skills in the spotlight.
24. Sketches (Team Problem-Solving): The foundational premise of the show, sketch comedy, involves individuals working together from ideation to execution on projects that may or may not be successful in the long run. It’s the power of that collaborative effort (and the power of humor, of course) to address challenges that keeps the show such a remarkable example of the group being larger than the sum of its parts.
25. Commercial Parodies (Thinking Outside the Box): SNL's commercial parodies have always been about more than just generating laughs—they encourage viewers to think in a completely different way about the world around them and to pay attention to the messaging that shapes their worldview.
26. "Live" Format (Agility): The "live" format of Saturday Night Live demands agility and quick thinking—once the cameras are rolling, there’s no turning back if something goes sideways. Successful organizations prepare everyone to be adaptable in a fast-paced world where anything can, and likely will, happen.
27. Improvisation (Creativity): Not everything goes as planned. That's a universal truth on the boards or in the boardroom. Improvisation is a key element of SNL’s success, and any organization that inspires creativity and spontaneity is setting its players up to arrive at solutions in any circumstance. 
28. Mistakes (Learning and Growth): Regardless of planning and rehearsals and best intentions, mistakes happen—and every day in the business world is like a live TV event. Strong leaders help employees view mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth, while strong employees turn past mistakes into lessons for improvement. 
29. "Cut for Time" (Prioritization): Not every sketch or star makes it to the live SNL broadcast, even in the most carefully planned production. "Cut for time" decisions highlight the importance of prioritization and the ability of team leaders to know when and where to make changes and readjust plans. 
30. After-Party (Team Bonding): The SNL after-party is almost as well-known as the show itself, a chance for the cast and crew to bond every week, to celebrate successes, note areas for improvement, congratulate one another and take a step back to reflect on the outcome of their efforts. These kinds of gatherings foster a strong team culture and sense of togetherness. 
31. Next Week's Promo (Looking Ahead): Today’s success quickly becomes yesterday’s news. SNL’s "next week's promo" keeps viewers engaged and gets them focused how the show is clearly paying attention to ensuring their future entertainment. Keeping teams focused on future goals while executing in the present is an ongoing goal for organizations of any size.
32. Changing Casts (Succession Planning): Chevy Chase left SNL halfway through its second season. Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Robert Downey Jr., Joan Cussack—they all left after one year. And they were not alone. And yet in every event, the show went on because it was always preparing for such talent movement, making sure team members were in place and talent in the pipeline who could step up when needed.
33. "Not Ready for Prime Time" to "Prime Time" (Growth and Development): The original cast's journey from "not ready" to "prime time" illustrates the power of growth and development for members of any organization. 
34. From John Belushi to Tina Fey to Michael Che (Evolution): SNL's comedy has evolved over the years and always adjusted with the times. What makes an organization successful today does not guarantee success for tomorrow, but adapting to changing market conditions and bringing in the talent to make those changes is invaluable to that ongoing transition.
35. From Larry David to Conan O’Brien to John Mulaney (Talent Pipeline): SNL has consistently discovered new talent by promoting people from writers to cast members—or, as in the case of David, O’Brien and Mulaney, the show had them back as guest hosts. Never underestimate the importance of a strong talent pipeline, and of staying connected with outstanding talent with whom you may want to work in the future.
36. "SNL At Home" (Remote Work): SNL's "At Home" episodes showed that even in the toughest of times, top organizations and individuals alike will find ways to adapt and deliver.
37. Political Satire (Understanding the Context): Regardless of what your position is on the political spectrum, SNL's political satire has always highlighted the importance of understanding the context in which we all operate—and how humor can help almost every situation. 
38. Social Commentary (Values): Beyond politics, SNL often uses comedy to make social commentary, reflecting the importance of always trying to find new ways to speak to its audience about the topics that matter to it most. 
39. "Weekend Update" Anchors (Leadership Roles): The "Weekend Update" anchors are not only fan favorites, they are leadership figures on the show, setting the tone for much of the show's comedic voice and often leading the way for transformation within the organization.
40. The Writers (Behind-the-Scenes Heroes): Some writers get their name Iights, but in general the show’s writers are the unsung heroes of SNL. Recognizing and appreciating the contributions of everybody on an organization’s team goes a long way toward bringing out the best in everyone.
41. The Crew (Essential Support): Building the sets, making sure the lighting and sound are perfect, working the cameras…the crew is rarely seen, yet they are essential to the show's success. Top companies never underestimate the importance of support staff and the team members who manage all the logistics that keep everything moving smoothly. 
42. Live Audience (Feedback): You’ll often hear SNL cast members talk about feeding off the energy—or lack thereof, if a skit goes flat—of the live audience. Paying attention to feedback provides an opportunity to immediately make positive changes, whether it’s from a studio audience, employees or clients.
43. Critics (Constructive Criticism): Some critics think SNL is brilliance defined...but not all the time. Others have never supported the show...but will admit that certain moments are outstanding bits of comedy. Not everyone is going to be a fan, and even your most ardent supporters will have issues from time to time. Remember, that’s okay. Critics can offer valuable insights, and successful individuals and organizations stay open to constructive criticism and use it to make themselves better.
44. Awards and Honors (Recognition): Saturday Night Live has earned more than 100 Emmy awards during its 50-year run, a mix of individual and group honors that underscore the team aspect of the show’s long-running success. Awards are a form of recognition, a testament to achieving goals you’ve strived to reach, so give yourself a shout-out—it’s always a fine idea to celebrate your organization's achievements.
45. Legacy (Lasting Impact): If the buzz around the 50^th anniversary show and season remind us of anything, it’s that SNL has created a lasting legacy on its own terms. As a business, as a manager, as an employee, as a team member…what will your legacy be?
46. "The Best of…" (Celebrating Success): "The Best of…" specials celebrate SNL's greatest moments, even years after they’ve taken place. Take time to celebrate your company's wins, and always remember the successful moments that got you to where you are today.
47. Re-runs (Enduring Value): Not every airing of SNL is an original live show, to say nothing of all those YouTube clips generating millions of views. Delivering a great product, a great performance, an unforgettable experience—that’s what creates enduring value and stands the test of time.
48. Generations of Fans (Building a Community): SNL has built a community of fans across generations, even with the ebb and flow of cast changes, cultural hot-button topics and varying levels of comedic talent. Fostering a sense of community among employees as well as clients means you can measure success in decades, not merely deals.
49. "Good night!" (The End...or Just the Beginning): The famous on-stage "Good night!" marks the end of every show, but it's also a new beginning—the start of next week’s show. Each day is a new opportunity to plan for future success.
50. 50 Seasons (Long-Term Vision): The power of a long-term vision, of delivering on short-term goals and promises, of adapting to changing times, of building a great team year after year, of understanding your audience’s needs, of striving for excellence, of meeting challenges, of finding partners and individuals who help you grow…

Congratulations to Saturday Night Live on 50 incredible years, for providing countless laughs and real-life lessons, and for proving that no matter the industry, no matter the goal, the Right People are the Answer.