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Creating Disney Magic

Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, shares his wisdom and experience from his time with Disney, Marriott, and Hilton. Lee joins show host Jody Maberry to discuss how you can apply lessons in leadership, management, and customer service to create magic in your organization.
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Creating Disney Magic
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Now displaying: June, 2023
Jun 27, 2023

 

"People want to know they matter"

During this episode of Creating Disney Magic, Jody and I answer a listener question about employee development.  Investing in employee development leads to higher retention rate and boosts productivity.  Many managers and business leaders make the mistake of overlooking employee development as an essential factor in their success.  Want to know the secret to higher productivity, less sick days, and a good attitude?  Offer development opportunities and treat your team members right. 

In this episode, you will:

  • Uncover the powerful link between employee development, business success, and talent retention
  • Realize how supporting the growth of your team members remains essential even without promotions on offer
  • Embrace the advantages of providing unified training to everyone in your organization
  • Delve into the significance of making training and development a key aspect of employee retention efforts
  • Find out how online courses, regular book discussions, and targeted seminars can transform the growth of your organization's team members

When employees don't get the chance to grow or advance they can become stagnant, uninterested and eventually leave. Avoid disengaged employees by creating a positive company culture. One way to do that is by investing in your people. Another is by paying attention to them to develop trusting relationships.  Any time you prioritize the development of your people, your business will reap the benefits of a loyal and engaged workforce.

One team that is very invested in the growth of their team is Magical Vacation Planners. Make sure you reach out to them for help planning your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

 

Jun 20, 2023

"The more you know, the better decisions you make about people."

When I think back to my time at Disney and working in the hospitality industry, I remember that managing multi-generational teams can be challenging. It is also one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership. I learned a lot about how to manage employees of different generations through an individualized communication strategy. A fast way to model and develop an inclusive work culture is by being receptive to various employee needs and respecting their differences.

As a leader you need to be listening to all voices, including those of immigrants, single moms, and younger employees. By understanding individual needs and preferences, leaders can develop an approach tailored to each employee. Over the years I had a number of scenarios where accommodating individual needs led to employee loyalty and successful product launches.

Do not shy away from young people that are speaking up and voicing their opinions. It's critical for parents to teach their children to speak out when they have a problem. As a leader, empower young professionals to contribute their innovative ideas and insights for organizational success.

During this conversation I shared many more insights into how working with multiple generations can be incredibly impactful on your leadership, customer service, and running a thriving business. After you listen, use the advice, and go create magic for others.

If you’re looking for someone to create magic for you, make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. Let them plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader 

Episode Highlights

00:00:08 - Multigenerational Workforce

00:05:41 - Importance of Individualized Approach

00:09:31 - Younger Generations

00:11:30 - Learning from Constituents

00:12:49 - Listening and Acting

00:13:19 - Encouraging Young People to Speak Up

00:13:40 - Empowering Girls to Speak Up

00:14:03 - Listening to Others to Avoid Trouble

 

Jun 13, 2023

"Your responsibility is not to sit in the office, but to be out in the operation."

There are a few things I learned throughout my career about effectively train a new leader. It starts by hiring the right people and setting clear expectations. Clear expectations includes making sure the new leader's personal appearance is up to standard and they understand the importance of being visible and present in the operation. Never minimize the role of management in making sure employees reach their full potential.

It is essential to start with training on empathy and discipline. That lays a good foundation for building other aspects of leadership. A manager's responsibility is to make other people better. They do what they need to so that guests and team members leave with positive experiences. They know that it can be done well when employees learn to embrace the company's culture.

Leaders must remain disciplined and set the example. People watch what leaders do, so model what it means to uphold high standards and represent the company positively. If management is done right, then employees are happier and the company succeeds. This episode provides even more tips on how to improve leadership skills for managers.

As I always say, hire the right people, train them well, and treat them right.

An example of one company that does a great job hiring, training, and treating their people right is Magical Vacation Planner. Make sure to check them out and use them for help planning your next vacation. Call them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Episode Highlights

00:02:26 - Training New Leaders

00:06:04 - Responsibility vs. Title

00:09:08 - The Power of Working for Disney

00:10:56 - Responsibility as a New Leader

00:13:25 - The Importance of Personal and Professional Performance

00:14:43 - Leading with Empathy and Discipline

00:15:09 - Long-Term Payoff of Hard Work

00:16:15 - Starting with Reputation

00:17:10 - Cockerel Academy and Contact Information

 

Jun 6, 2023

"You're not a product of your circumstances. You're a product of your decisions."

Through my experience as a leader, I have learned that time management and prioritization are key to success. In this episode, I shared my insights on how to achieve better time management and make better decisions.

There are a few things great leaders do in order to make sure they don't stray into unnecessary tasks. The first is that they have a strong understanding of what is important. They make sure they are focusing on completing those tasks, and delegating tasks to great people. It's also important to take care of the basics before moving on to bigger tasks.

During this episode I suggest some practical tips such as starting with small tasks with big returns, taking walks for health and taking courses to improve time management. These steps can help professionals to improve their time management and decision-making skills, ultimately leading to success.

Other ways to focus on what is important now:

  • Master time management and its impact on achieving personal and professional goals
  • Identify high-priority tasks which yield significant results and develop effective decision-making skills
  • Recruit talented individuals for delegating responsibilities and establish a strong foundation
  • Discover the advantages of expanding your knowledge through educational resources
  • Embrace a mindset geared towards ongoing learning and enhanced decision-making prowess

Balancing going above and beyond with daily job requirements is a matter of prioritizing what's important. Listen to this episode for valuable insights on time management and decision-making.

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

 Episode Highlights

00:01:22 - Time Management

00:04:27 - Commitment and Responsibility

00:07:14 - Basics and Extra Inch

00:10:36 - Cockerell Academy and The Main Street Leader

 

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