Last night I watched the season finale of my favorite show, Mad Men. Each week this show is intriguing and innovative in many ways, and last night was no exception. It was great to see Don emotionally tell Cooper, “I want to work. I want to build something of my own.”

Although his home life is now a mess, it looks like great thinks are ahead for Don’s new business. He learned some great lessons on the professional side that we all might want to keep in mind in our businesses.

1. Value your relationships. After assuming his top people would join him in his new venture, Don was surprised at their lack of loyalty to him. Peggy surprised him by saying: “Everyone thinks you do all my work. Even you. I don’t want to make a career out of being there so you can kick me when you fail.” Don had to visit both Pete and Peggy with his tail between his legs and tell them how much he valued them. Hopefully he doesn’t forget this lesson.
2. Know your business. While Don, Roger and Pete all think the firm can’t run without them, after one day without their support team, they quickly realize they have no idea how their business runs at all. Roger went running to Joan who of course saved the day. And although they had been complaining all season about the bean counter Price, they quickly deduced that his skills of knowing the numbers and running the business were so valuable that that they made him a partner.
3. Cultivate your clients, but don’t rely on them entirely. Like Don, you may have one great customer who you think relies on you for everything, but you should always be prepared for them to drop you. After months of late-night phone calls with Conrad Hilton who forced him into an employment contract he didn’t want to sign, Don learns that Connie is dropping because the firm is being purchased. The lesson is not to rely too much on one client and don’t let them force you to do something you don’t want to do. Fortunately for the team, Pete had been cultivating several other clients and they can start their new firm with millions of dollars of business.
4. Make time for family. A final lesson that Don learned was not to take his wife and family for granted and he’s lost them. Don realized that he was losing his wife due to his work and, umm, “extracurricular activities”, but it was too late and she was through with him. So the lesson here is: not only do we need to treat our colleagues and clients well, but also our families.

Thank you Mad Men for another mesmerizing season and some great lessons in business. I can’t wait for next season.

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