Bravery is Progressive
Creating Disney Magic
"What helped me the most was, leaving home and going out on my own and getting experiences." Jumping into the unknown is rarely comfortable, but it’s where true growth happens. Stepping outside our comfort zone reshapes our perspective and how we lead, work, and live. That is true whether it’s traveling to a foreign land or saying yes to an intimidating opportunity. After hearing Jody share his whitewater rafting adventure in Chile, it struck me how bravery really is progressive. Every time I took a leap in my own career, the fear was real. Moving countries, taking new positions, even...
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Know When To Say No
Creating Disney Magic
"We all have our own thing, and we all have to make that decision every day about what's in it for us, is it worth it, and is it worth my time." Notable Moments 00:36 When to Say Yes or No 03:22 Invitations Increase with Familiarity 08:02 Facing Life's Tough Challenges 12:14 Managing Life's Responsibilities 14:17 Get Organized for Success Sometimes, the most powerful tool you have is a simple “no.” During my years at Disney, I learned that it's okay to not say yes to every opportunity. The more important thing is knowing which doors to walk through and which ones to keep closed. Success...
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Teach Professionalism
Creating Disney Magic
"When you start doing what everybody does, it's hard to be noticed any longer. Professionalism gets you noticed." Notable Moments 00:40 "Stories That Work" Event Recap 04:57 Embrace Professional Etiquette 07:34 Professionalism Over Expertise 11:16 Importance of Professional First Impressions 15:20 Encourage Open Conversations Time and time again I see people underestimate the power of professionalism. Unfortunately, it ends up stalling their careers before they’ve even hit their stride. During our latest conversation, I shared how critical it is to set expectations for professionalism,...
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Stories That Work
Creating Disney Magic
"Stories are emotional, and when you connect with people emotionally, it sticks." Stories are the master teacher of the world. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that facts may fade, but a good story that is told with feeling and authenticity will stick with you forever. Today, we took that idea to the next level, gathering at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management for our first ever “Stories That Work” workshop. Jody sparked the idea, and it was a great one. We brought together Disney veterans and leaders like Bob Allen, Rick Allen, and Djuan Rivers, all with stories that...
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How to Handle Getting Laid Off
Creating Disney Magic
"Sometimes you have to make some sacrifices to recover from getting fired or laid off. And you usually come out better on the other end because it pushes you to get into another business or another organization and to show off your skills." Notable Moments 03:45 Thinking Ahead Before Layoffs 07:55 Embracing Change and Growth 09:30 Networking: Consistent Contact is Key 12:58 Cockrell Academy Community Call ADD BLOG TEASER INTRO with link to website Resources Travel Guidance are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at...
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Setting Customer Service Standards
Creating Disney Magic
"Until you actually spend time in the business and feel it and experience what's going on, it's hard for you to understand what you need to do to make changes." Notable Moments 01:22 Adapting Business Practices Globally 06:43 Managers Need to Lead by Example 08:15 Creating an Emotional Restaurant Culture 11:52 Passion Speaks Louder Than Words Stepping into the heart of service means immersing yourself in the culture and operations of your business. No matter where you are in the world, creating an outstanding customer experience starts with understanding. It’s recognizing that every location...
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Building Relationships With Your Team
Creating Disney Magic
"You're always communicating. When you walk into a room, when you're on the phone, when you say hello to somebody, you're sending a message and they're either believing more in you or they're believing less in you." Notable Moments 00:50 Effective Communication in Tough Conversations 06:39 Effective Teaching Focuses on Outcomes 09:39 Evolving Impressions and Authenticity 13:16 Attitude and Reliability Lead Success 14:32 Be Exceptional, Get Noticed Conversations are the backbone of trust, and trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that the...
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Learn More So You Are Worth More
Creating Disney Magic
"Get up to speed on how to use something, what it means, where you would use it, or why you have to understand it. Then talk to people about it." Notable Moments 01:12 Talking about passions can help break you out of introversion. 04:49 Leave a legacy in your industry by being a teacher. 08:48 Networking can lead to opportunities by connecting with people and understanding what they offer. 11:15 Learning comes with intentional experiences and listening. 15:28 Preparation is essential to meaningful interactions. 17:29 Invest in learning to increase your value. Continuing to learn more is...
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Having Candid Conversations in the Workplace
Creating Disney Magic
"There's a lot of things in our mind that are probably not true. We just don't take the time to figure out what the problem is. People don't want to have those conversations." NOTABLE MOMENTS 01:06 Addressing Resistance to Change in the Workplace 05:06 Fix Assumptions: Hear Their Side 10:04 Improving Communication Through Diplomacy 12:17 Balancing Technical Skills and Teamwork In any workplace, the ability to have candid conversations is a necessity. As a leader it is important to be be able to address tough issues with the ease and confidence that keeps your team thriving. When...
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Why Don't You Ask for Feedback
Creating Disney Magic
"You don't get in trouble for what you know. You get in trouble for what you don't know." Notable Moments 02:24 Be Average or Be Excellent 03:59 Empowering Change Through Feedback 07:31 Build Trust By Taking Action 10:37 Honesty Creates Impact 13:46 Cockerell Academy Creating excellence is magic, and the secret lies in the details. From my experience, true magic in any business is when you're so good, people wonder how you do it. Everyone in the organization strives for excellence rather than settling for average. Whether it's a seamless customer service experience or a perfectly...
info_outline"You're always communicating. When you walk into a room, when you're on the phone, when you say hello to somebody, you're sending a message and they're either believing more in you or they're believing less in you."
Notable Moments
00:50 Effective Communication in Tough Conversations
06:39 Effective Teaching Focuses on Outcomes
09:39 Evolving Impressions and Authenticity
13:16 Attitude and Reliability Lead Success
14:32 Be Exceptional, Get Noticed
Conversations are the backbone of trust, and trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that the relationships we build—with our team or family—set the tone for all dialogues. Engaging in regular, open conversations creates a comfortable rapport that makes tough discussions a natural and accepted part of progress. When you genuinely invest time in talking to your team, it shows them you care, and when the time comes for those necessary, candid conversations, they know it’s out of concern for their growth and the team's success.
We must remember, it's not just about having tough conversations; it's about having ongoing ones. They open dialogue and erase hierarchical barriers, showing your team that while roles may vary, our ultimate purpose aligns. It's crucial that team members feel their voices are valued and their efforts seen, fostering an environment where productivity and engagement thrive.
Reflecting on my relationship with Carl Holt, a standout hire from my Disney days, we had both professional discussions and personal chats. It was our mutual commitment to excellence and open dialogue that made our professional bond so strong. You see, being a leader isn’t just about authority; it’s about fostering growth, being a mentor, and showing genuine interest in your team's journey.
Ultimately, the greatest job is the one you have right now. Pour your energy into excelling where you are, and opportunities will follow. When reliability and a positive attitude shine through, people notice. So, be committed, be engaged, and watch as growth happens naturally.
Resources
Travel Guidance
Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.