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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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Archives
Now displaying: September, 2025
Sep 30, 2025

“Don’t give your customers a chance to go try somebody else. They might not come back.”

Episode Highlights

[03:42] Why environment and people matter more than coffee quality.

[06:55] Observations on cultural diversity in different coffee shops.

[09:54] The best consultants in your business are your employees and customers.

[13:04] The danger of closing doors and letting customers try competitors.

[15:10] Lessons learned about loyalty and value from grocery shopping.

Your customers are only loyal until they find something better. In this conversation, Lee Cockerell shares personal stories and practical lessons on why people leave, how small details make the biggest difference, and what leaders can do to keep customers coming back.

Read the blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

Creating Magic Mastermind October 2025

CockerellStore.com

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.

Sep 23, 2025

“Everything is hard until it’s easy. The only way it gets easy is practice.”

Episode Highlights

[00:01:36] Lee recalls his first attempt at public speaking at Marriott.

[00:02:45] Advice from Bill Marriott’s father-in-law

[00:03:55] Practice as the path to confidence.

[00:06:26] How fear holds people back from trying.

[00:07:39] Explain things simply to prove understanding.

[00:08:33] Improvement through courses, reading, and daily study.

Lee Cockerell opens up about his early struggles with public speaking and the lessons that helped him turn fear into confidence. He explains why passion and personal stories make presentations more engaging and memorable than polished scripts. Lee reminds us that practice is the only way to build true confidence, and that fear is often the biggest barrier to growth. This conversation highlights simple, practical steps anyone can take to improve their communication skills and become more effective leaders.

Read the blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

Creating Magic Mastermind October 2025

CockerellStore.com

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.

 

 

Sep 16, 2025

“If you want to be average, just let it go. If you want to be world class, everything matters.”

Notable Moments

00:01:19 – The mindset shift of removing excuses and taking ownership

00:02:37 – How an honest conversation with Al Weiss built trust

00:04:41 – Why leaders must encourage open communication early

00:06:37 – The importance of “no surprises” in leadership

00:09:40 – Everything matters if you want to be world class

Many workplace frustrations linger because we quietly allow them. In this episode, Lee Cockerell shares how change begins when you take ownership for the problems. As a leader that means speaking up early, setting clear expectations, and creating a culture of open communication. It’s the honest conversations can build trust and help you lead with confidence.

Read my blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

Creating Magic Mastermind October 2025

CockerellStore.com

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.

 

 

Sep 9, 2025

"If I’m having turnover again and again, there’s something wrong. My job as the leader is to figure it out.”

Notable Moments

[04:29] A landscaping business owner shares struggles with turnover and labor shortages.

[06:18] The importance of psychological safety in reducing turnover.

[08:03] Why people don’t trust their organizations anymore.

[10:21] Example of a company creating loyalty by treating employees well.

[12:01] How simple conversations with employees can prevent turnover.

[14:54] Lee’s reflection on personal responsibility for problems and habits.

What drives employee turnover? Lee Cockerell shares stories and lessons that point to a clear truth: turnover is less about the job market and more about the environment leaders create. From psychological safety to personal accountability, this episode explores how leaders can stop blaming external factors and start building workplaces people never want to leave.

Read the blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

Creating Magic Mastermind October 2025

CockerellStore.com

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.

Sep 2, 2025

"Humility puts people at ease. It makes people trust you more."

Notable Moments

01:11 – Why humility is a byproduct of confidence

02:42 – A story about setting the right example for your team

05:51 – The freedom that comes from not chasing status symbols

07:48 – How exposure and learning build confidence

10:32 – The importance of setting expectations early

12:12 – Cultural awareness and showing respect in different settings

Humility and confidence go hand in hand. In this episode, Lee Cockerell shares why humility is a powerful leadership trait, how confidence makes it possible, and why helping your team build their own confidence is one of the most important things a leader can do.

Read my blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

Creating Magic Mastermind October 2025

CockerellStore.com

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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