---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first came to NBC, I thought it…"
description: "\"When I first came to NBC, I thought it was going to be swimming with the sharks, all men for themselves, be careful and all that. I have to tell you I ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/hoda-kotb-13781_be-careful_when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-wa_2391005.jpg"
---

#  When I first came to NBC, I thought it was going to be…

![“When I first came to NBC, I thought it was going to be swimming with the sharks, all men for themselves, be careful and all that. I have to tell you I learned that you can be kind and a hard worker and move up. You don't have to play dirty or do things that you think happens at big corporations.” quote by Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/hoda-kotb-13781_be-careful_when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-wa_2391005.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/hoda-kotb-13781_be-careful_when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-wa_2391005.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/hoda-kotb-13781_be-careful_when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-wa_2391005.jpg)

> “When I first came to NBC, I thought it was going to be swimming with the sharks, all men for themselves, be careful and all that. I have to tell you I learned that you can be kind and a hard worker and move up. You don't have to play dirty or do things that you think happens at big corporations.”

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Corporate culture can be competitive yet collaborative; kindness and hard work enable advancement without unethical tactics.

**In simple terms:** Kindness and effort can lead to success in business.

Key Takeaway

Lead with integrity and diligence.

Themes

career ethics leadership

Mood

optimistic reflective

Type

motivational advice

When to use this quote

- job interview
- team projects
- promotion negotiations

Key Concepts

collaboration integrity corporate dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you foster kindness in a competitive workplace?
- What barriers exist to ethical advancement?

A Different Perspective

Some environments still reward cut‑throat behavior, limiting kind success.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporations/) [Hard worker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-worker/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Sharks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharks/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/)

## Related quotes

> [I came to NBC on 'Friday Night Lights' and they have supported that show and found ways - unprecedented ways - to keep it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-katims/i-came-to-nbc-on-friday-night-lights-and-they-have-supported-that/)

[Jason Katims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-katims/)

> [I will tell you what I have learned myself. For me, a long five or six mile walk helps. And one must go alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/i-will-tell-you-what-i-have-learned-myself-for-me-a-long-five-or-six-2/)

[Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/)

> [“We must tell the others what we learned from Wit, Ivory. Eventually, this secret must be known.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/we-must-tell-the-others-what-we-learned-from-wit-ivory-eventually/)

[Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/)

> [“Some things about being human can't be learned from your own kind..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rona-maynard/some-things-about-being-human-can-t-be-learned-from-your-own-kind/)

Rona Maynard

> [“...for he had learned from others of their kind that death seemed to bring small comfort from the worrisome sphere of life…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-barrett-jr/for-he-had-learned-from-others-of-their-kind-that-death-seemed-to/)

Neal Barrett Jr

> [“The most wonderful type of love, she had learned, was the kind built with care and over time, through forgiveness and understanding, compromise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristina-mcmorris/the-most-wonderful-type-of-love-she-had-learned-was-the-kind-built/)

[Kristina McMorris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristina-mcmorris/)

> [I've learned... . That being kind is more important than being right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/i-ve-learned-that-being-kind-is-more-important-than-being-right/)

[H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/)

> [What happens when you get a big break and you haven't prepared yourself? That becomes the biggest mistake you've ever made. I see it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quincy-jones/what-happens-when-you-get-a-big-break-and-you-haven-t-prepared/)

[Quincy Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quincy-jones/)

> [You know what happens in all the big companies and business in the world. If something doesn't work, you have to find a solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pep-guardiola/you-know-what-happens-in-all-the-big-companies-and-business-in-the/)

[Pep Guardiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pep-guardiola/)

> [Drama happens in big cricket matches. But also in small cricket matches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/drama-happens-in-big-cricket-matches-but-also-in-small-cricket-matches/)

[Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/)

> [You never know how a film will play, whether it will be successful or not, or whether it will touch the audience. I always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayao-miyazaki/you-never-know-how-a-film-will-play-whether-it-will-be-successful-or/)

[Hayao Miyazaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayao-miyazaki/)

> [It is very unique. I think what happens in a big, major institution is coaches get wrapped up in their own little deals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-stone/it-is-very-unique-i-think-what-happens-in-a-big-major-institution-is/)

Lisa Stone

> [Thanks to NBC News and thanks to the NBC primetime TV network, Donald Trump has been in living rooms for 11 years being who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/thanks-to-nbc-news-and-thanks-to-the-nbc-primetime-tv-network-donald/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [What can I say about Brian Williams. Nothing, because I work for NBC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecily-strong/what-can-i-say-about-brian-williams-nothing-because-i-work-for-nbc/)

[Cecily Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecily-strong/)

> [NBC is making a movie about Martha Stewart that will cover the recent stock scandal. They are thinking of calling it 'The Road To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/nbc-is-making-a-movie-about-martha-stewart-that-will-cover-the-recent/)

[Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/)

## More by Hoda Kotb

> [I try to live in a little bit of my own joy and not let people steal it or take it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-try-to-live-in-a-little-bit-of-my-own-joy-and-not-let-people-steal/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [I wake up at 4:15 A.M., get some coffee, turn on the news, see what's happening, go clickety-clack on the web to see what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-wake-up-at-4-15-a-m-get-some-coffee-turn-on-the-news-see-what-s/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [I don't want to be 'the girl with cancer' ... I just didn't want that to be my only thing. But it is part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-don-t-want-to-be-the-girl-with-cancer-i-just-didn-t-want-that-to-be/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [My style is streamlined, sophisticated and simple, so I usually go for a dress. No matching involved. I am bad at matching! I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/my-style-is-streamlined-sophisticated-and-simple-so-i-usually-go-for/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [“He said breast cancer is part of you,’’ Hoda recalled. “He said it's like going to college or getting married or working at NBC.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/he-said-breast-cancer-is-part-of-you-hoda-recalled-he-said-it-s-like/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [Life's not perfect. Some loose ends may never get trimmed up and tidied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/life-s-not-perfect-some-loose-ends-may-never-get-trimmed-up-and-tidied/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [I'm a disorganized mess. My purse is gross: I once found a shoulder pad, string cheese, and a Christmas ornament in it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-m-a-disorganized-mess-my-purse-is-gross-i-once-found-a-shoulder-pad/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [From time to time, I'll look back through the personal journals I've scribbled in throughout my life, the keepers of my raw thoughts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/from-time-to-time-i-ll-look-back-through-the-personal-journals-i-ve/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [If you fall-and trust me, you will- make sure you fall on your back. Because if you fall on your back, you can see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/if-you-fall-and-trust-me-you-will-make-sure-you-fall-on-your-back/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [Having cancer empowered me to take more risks. I knew beating cancer was going to shape me, but it wasn't going to be all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/having-cancer-empowered-me-to-take-more-risks-i-knew-beating-cancer/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [I think credibility is one of those things that, if you work hard and you get it by standing in the trenches and traveling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-think-credibility-is-one-of-those-things-that-if-you-work-hard-and/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [I've had weight issues all my life. I've been on all the diets: Atkins, liquid protein, Scarsdale diet. Now I go to the gym…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-ve-had-weight-issues-all-my-life-i-ve-been-on-all-the-diets-atkins/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [I run in Central Park as the sun comes up. Some may mistake it for walking, but I swear I am running. I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-run-in-central-park-as-the-sun-comes-up-some-may-mistake-it-for/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [When my shoes are killing me, I take a maxi pad and put it in the bottom of my shoe. It is better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/when-my-shoes-are-killing-me-i-take-a-maxi-pad-and-put-it-in-the/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

> [I'm good at picking friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-m-good-at-picking-friends/)

[Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

[Explore all 49 Hoda Kotb quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/)

## More Be careful quotes

> [Be careful. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the worst Spanish student in the history of the language.” I laughed. “No problemo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/be-careful-i-wouldn-t-want-anything-to-happen-to-the-worst-spanish/)

[Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/)

> [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/)

[Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/)

> [You've got to be careful against classy fighters, especially counter-punchers because if you go for the finish too early, you can end up getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/you-ve-got-to-be-careful-against-classy-fighters-especially-counter/)

[Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/)

> [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/)

[Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/)

> [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [I have to be careful to get out before I become the grotesque caricature of a hatchet-faced woman with big knockers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-have-to-be-careful-to-get-out-before-i-become-the-grotesque/)

[Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/)

> [Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-lionel-kendrick/our-communications-reflect-in-our-countenance-therefore-we-must-be/)

[L. Lionel Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-lionel-kendrick/)

> [Well sometimes, culture can stifle talent, so you have to be careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-williams/well-sometimes-culture-can-stifle-talent-so-you-have-to-be-careful/)

[Monty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-williams/)

> [And so we have to be careful with looking at additional stimulus that we don't provoke an increase in the bond rate and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-raines/and-so-we-have-to-be-careful-with-looking-at-additional-stimulus-that/)

[Franklin Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-raines/)

> [Be careful who you might trust the Devil was once an angel too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-careful-who-you-might-trust-the-devil-was-once-an-angel-too/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/one-must-always-be-careful-of-books-said-tessa-and-what-is-inside/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [Be careful, once water is spilled, it can never return to its container](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciel-phantomhive/be-careful-once-water-is-spilled-it-can-never-return-to-its-container/)

[Ciel Phantomhive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciel-phantomhive/)

> [We used to tell our receivers, 'If you want to run an inside breaking route, and you want to fight for yardage after the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gruden/we-used-to-tell-our-receivers-if-you-want-to-run-an-inside-breaking/)

[Jon Gruden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gruden/)

> [A bad investment is going for quantity over quality. If you're trying to be careful with your wallet, especially with the economy right now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-siriano/a-bad-investment-is-going-for-quantity-over-quality-if-you-re-trying/)

[Christian Siriano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-siriano/)

Browse all 989 Be careful quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When I first came to NBC, I thought it was going to be swimming with the sharks, all men for themselves, be careful and all that. I have to tell you I learned that you can be kind and a hard worker and move up. You don't have to play dirty or do things that you think happens at big corporations.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Hoda Kotb"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-was-going-to-be-swimming-with/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Be careful"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-was-going-to-be-swimming-with/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/hoda-kotb-13781_be-careful_when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-wa_2391005.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/hoda-kotb-13781_be-careful_when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-wa_2391005.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48d/hoda-kotb-13781_be-careful_when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-wa_2391005.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When I first came to NBC, I thought it was going to be swimming with the sharks, all men for themselves, be…” — Hoda Kotb",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Hoda Kotb",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When I first came to NBC,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-was-going-to-be-swimming-with/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/when-i-first-came-to-nbc-i-thought-it-was-going-to-be-swimming-with/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
