Words help a business create magic.
Get past the boring business language we have become accustomed to.
Words help you get to someone's heart by getting to their brain first.
Even when it comes to Disney, without the words magic would not happen.
Words are used in movies, of course. But Disney also uses words to connect to guests. Disney uses words to even build a better experience for employees. And the best example of this is we don't use the words employees. We call them cast members. This simple shift in words helps employees understand their role.
Words are powerful. Words are used to shape experiences and emotions. Used properly, words can influence our behavior.
You don't have to be Disney to create magic with words. Any organization can put the right words in the right places to create magic.
When you can put yourself in the position of the customer, you can begin to find the right words. Rather than say what you want to say, say what the customer wants to hear.
Ray Edwards joins us on this episode of Creating Disney Magic to talk about how to create magic with words.
Ray Edwards has written copy for Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Jeff Walker, and many other well-known business personalities.
You can get started using words more effectively with Ray's book, How to Write Copy That Sells.
On this episode of Creating Disney Magic, I answer two listener questions, but they both tie together.
With the first question, someone asks about working with a mentor. He is a young man who wants to know how to approach someone about working with them in a mentor type relationship.
It is not uncommon for people to ask me to be their mentor. I decline, though. If I am going to mentor someone I need to see them work and have a personal relationship with them.
But I am willing to give advice and to let you know how I did or would handle a situation.
You will find many people are willing to answer your questions and give advice. All you have to do is ask.
Before you ask, read their books or articles. Listen to their podcast interviews. Attend their events. As you do this, your question may be answered and you can ask a better question.
Working with a mentor or having someone you look up to give you advice can help you build confidence.
But what do you do when something happens that takes a knock at your confidence?
There are times when you will get rejected. Or something you expected doesn't go your way. And it may knock at your confidence. Keep going. It is all you can do. Usually, when you get rejected, it has nothing to do with you. Keep moving. My entire career was not magic.
When you fall off a horse, get back on right away. Your best days are ahead of you. Get started on having those better days sooner by getting back up.
Do you use the Morning Magic Planner yet? Click here to get it for free.
In this episode of Creating Disney Magic, we have another rapid-fire series of questions.
Jody Maberry pulls out seven listener questions, and I provide a brief answer.
Tell how you would work along with cast members to learn what they would do day to day.
Spending time out with the cast members gave me more appreciation for the hard work our team did every day. You would benefit from doing the same. Get out with your team to get an idea of the work they do day in and day out.
What do you do when you are doing a good job, love your company, but have a lousy boss?
You have to decide how long you can put up with the boss. If it is having a big negative impact on you, keep doing a good job but plan a way out. Don't stay too long at a job where you are not happy.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned as Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World?
Make sure you are not being a big deal. Even my title was intimidating to cast members. I made sure I was available, approachable and open to cast member. Everyone is important.
What are your thoughts on bringing politics into the workplace?
It's a bad idea. While I was at Disney, I never discussed religion or politics. And other people's political opinions and views are not your business.
What kept you grounded while you were Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World?
You become who you are early in life. I grew up poor in Oklahoma. And I grew up in a family where you treated everyone respectfully.
Do you think someone could be as successful as you are now without a college degree?
It is harder to get a job today without a degree. But if you are going to start your own business, you don't need a degree. And if you can be successful on your own, businesses will be more interested in you.
Do you think anyone can become anything and create magic in their own way?
Yes. There are three steps to being successful. First, have a great attitude. Second, be reliable and credible. Third, become an expert in something. The main thing is to help other people before you worry about them helping you.
This episode of Creating Disney Magic is a bit different than usual.
Rather than focus on a single topic, we do a series of rapid-fire questions.
In this episode, I answer the following questions:
What is your biggest leadership failure and how did you cope with it?
What is a tip for not getting burnt out while working a full-time job while also building your own small business?
What advice can you give when it comes to coaching employees on accountability?
What is the greatest career risk you ever took?
What are my most gratifying moments as former Chairman of the Board of Heart of Florida United Way?
What imagineer did you enjoy working with?
If there is only one lesson you hear in all of my answers, I want you to remember you have to take the risk or have the regret.