4 No-Joke Observations about Jerry Seinfeld's Disruptive Comedy Career

A few years back, Jerry Seinfeld landed a $100 million deal with Netflix, bringing Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, two stand-up specials, and his iconic sitcom, Seinfeld, to the platform. That sitcom alone racks up nearly 200 million streams a month—and, I’ll admit, I’ve contributed my fair share.

Recently, I dug deeper into Jerry’s career and creative process and found a few lessons worth sharing. Here are four takeaways from someone who’s mastered the art of positive disruption.

1. Pay Attention

Seinfeld’s humor thrives on sharp observations. He picks up on details most people miss, then connects the dots to turn everyday moments into comedy gold.

A few classics:

- “You can measure distance by time. ‘How far away is it?’ ‘Oh about 20 minutes.’ But it doesn’t work the other way. ‘When do you get off work?’ ‘Around 3 miles.’”

- “Why do they call it a ‘building?’ It looks like they’re finished. Why isn’t it a ‘built?’”

These moments remind us that to be a positive disruptor, you’ve got to be aware of what’s happening around you. Don’t sleepwalk through life. Whether it’s trends, customer needs, or emerging tech—pay attention, connect the dots, and spot what others miss. Those insights can fuel innovation and drive success.

2. Work the Process

Some entertainers jot ideas on a notecard; Seinfeld refines every word, writing by hand, poring over each joke for months or years.

In The Laugh Button interview, he shared his process:

- Start with an idea you find funny and write it down.

- The first line should land right away.

- Refine each line until it clicks, even down to the syllable count.

Build and stick to a process if you want to be a disruptor. Are you disciplined enough to see it through, even when it feels repetitive? Constantly tweak and improve—getting the process right is key to long-term success.

3. Follow Your Instincts

Seinfeld knows his audience and trusts his gut. In 2016, he shared how he created Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee by following an instinct for something more relaxed than the typical talk show. He launched it on a lesser-known platform, Crackle, and later, Netflix came calling. Seinfeld’s risk paid off, showing that sometimes trusting your instincts can lead to massive success.

4. Treat It Like a Business

Seinfeld is a comedian, but he’s also a savvy businessperson. As he once said, "They do call it show business." He knows his audience, meets their expectations, and ensures he’s well-compensated for his work. The lesson? Don’t lose sight of who you’re serving and the value you bring. When you get these pieces right, you might find yourself disrupting your field—and laughing all the way to the bank.

Let's Bring Positive Disruption to Your Team

In today’s fast-moving world, every team member—from the frontline to the boardroom—needs to harness the power of disruption to drive incredible results. Let’s work together to equip your people with the tools they need to make meaningful change.

I led the multi-year Disruption Project at Vanderbilt University . We interviewed over 350 disruptors—ranging from household names to unsung heroes. The insights we uncovered are powerful, and I’m excited to share them with your organization.

If you want to help your team learn a proven process for disruption that will transform the way they think, act, and achieve, reach out to my colleagues, Canesha Appleton or Michele Lucia .

Make it a great day!

Patrick