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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: 2025
Feb 11, 2025

"If you have a dream, it you can't just kind of follow it and expect it to happen. You have to chase it aggressively."

Notable Moments

00:46 Collaboration between creative visionaries and operational experts creates a magical experience.

05:33 Guests seek unique experiences and heartwarming stories.

06:37 Imagineers need curiosity, collaboration, teamwork, and business acumen.

10:38 Imagineering offers diverse creative opportunities across 115 disciplines.

13:18 Unexpected delights and special gestures enhance the experience.

17:43 Embracingo new opportunities as an author and speaker.

Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, knows a thing or two about blending creativity and operations to create everyday magic. He joins to talk about transforming dreams into reality through teamwork, storytelling, and surpassing guest expectations. Read the blog for more about blending operations and experience design to create everyday magic.

Connect with Bob Weis

www.bobweis.com

Order the book – Dream Chasing

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

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.

 

Feb 4, 2025

When it comes to running a family business, one of the hardest transitions is passing the torch to the next generation. Many founders wrestle with the reality that their successors might not share the same drive or passion. Ultimately, people are the cornerstone of any business transition. Read the blog to hear how leaders can make the people in a family business feel valued and heard by offering meaningful support and success.

Notable Moments

00:57 The Myth of Third Generation Business Decline

03:30 Inheriting Without Passion's Impacts Company Success

09:08 Generational Trends and Values Evolve

11:04 Prioritize Building Relationships Over Immediate Changes

14:29 Focus on Hiring, Training, and Treating People Right

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

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.

 

Jan 28, 2025

"So often when things change, we worry. But then we're using the problem, not the change."

Managing a remote team is a new reality we have to embrace. A listener shared his concerns about managing a customer service team that transitioned to remote work back in March 2020 and has remained remote ever since. Managing a remote team still requires a organizational culture, consistency, and effective communication. Read the blog for more from this episode on ways to address the challenges and make sure teams remain effective and motivated.

Notable Moments

00:43 Evaluating Workplace Changes and Challenges

04:04 Effective Remote Team Communication

06:50 Return-to-Office Challenges and Decisions

12:20 Decide and Commit to a Plan that Aligns with the Goals

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

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.

 

Jan 21, 2025

Inspiration isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the real work of leaders. Years ago, I realized that creating an inspired environment isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about subtle, everyday actions that build a culture where people feel they belong and are valued. Read my blog for more on how inspiration is the real work of leaders.

Notable Moments

00:57 A supportive, well-resourced environment inspires people to love their work.

03:52 A non-toxic, supportive environment where individuals feel safe and valued leads to self-management, satisfaction, and low turnover.

07:53 Hiring the right people is crucial for creating a positive work environment.

12:19 Recognize and appreciate others; it motivates them and makes a difference.

14:25 Discover more with "The Main Street Leader" or CockerellStore.com

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

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.

 

Jan 14, 2025

"When you start using that word later, later shows up faster than you can imagine."

Every day is a new opportunity to achieve your goals. A lot of people make New Year's resolutions and set big plans for a fresh start, but I believe every day marks a new beginning. There isn't a secret way of doing it. It's just a matter of getting started and sticking to it. Read my blog for more on how to organize your time.

Notable Moments

00:57 Start by taking action daily; progress will follow.

03:14 If it's important tomorrow, start today.

09:07 Daily planning prevents future problems.

11:35 Take charge; change comes quickly with action.

13:32 Evaluate worth of big life decisions.

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

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.

 

Jan 7, 2025

"Is it hard to be a good leader? Yes, it's hard. But it's satisfying to have people you're helping every day, being available for them, and sharing your knowledge making them better."

Notable Moments

00:47 Impact of promote a culture of availability and trust between leaders and employees

05:50 Open communication prevents disasters and protects reputation

09:34 Risk of not being accessible or approachable, such as people seeking alternatives

10:13 Being unavailable worsens organizational and individual issues

13:32 Dissatisfaction can lead to unexpected or unwanted actions

When I was an executive, I made it a priority to be available, and not just in theory but in practice. Being approachable isn't just about having an open-door policy. It's about creating a culture where employees feel genuinely comfortable reaching out. Read the blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

The Cockerell Academy

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader

Jody Maberry

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.

 

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