"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 you're leading a team there will be concerns that come up. The real magic begins when you address these head-on. If there's a lingering suspicion or discomfort, it's your responsibility to confront it politely but firmly. It's important to bring it out in the open rather than letting it fester unaddressed. Often, as I've experienced, these issues stem from misunderstandings. People tend to think they're doing a great job because, honestly, our brains are wired to assume our own competence.
Candid conversations provide clarity and an opportunity for everyone to be aligned with the office's goals. Your role is to guide teammates into a collective commitment to excellence. Remember, your business reflects your values, and every employee contributes to your organization’s reputation. If your staff is resistant to change or stuck in negativity, it's on you to steer that ship back on course.
Progress often involves discomfort, particularly when long-term employees resist change. Approach these conversations as opportunities for growth. Sometimes, it's a matter of respectfully asking, "How can we do better?" Listening to feedback can highlight system flaws or personal issues affecting their performance, giving you a chance to solve problems jointly.
Embrace these conversations with openness and purpose. They're not just about fixing current issues; they're about fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately crafting a team poised for success.
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.
"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 executed operation, the moments when customer service leaves you smiling are all by design.
Read my blog for more on creating magic by asking for feedback.
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.
"You have to figure out a way to stand out. Then whatever that thing is, tell people. Let them know here's what I can do for you."
Notable Moments
01:02 Combining Past Ideas for New Solutions
03:34 Disney vs. Universal: A Fascinating Rivalry
07:30 Pursuing Passion Versus Guaranteed Salary
10:32 Hiring Focus: Holistic Candidate Evaluation
13:43 Performance Over Credentials
17:46 Adaptable Career Flexibility Needed
Unlocking opportunities isn't just about what you've done or where you've studied. It's about being able to explain to people what you can do for them.A degree is not the only way to open doors. It's your ability to say confidently, "Here's what I can do for you," and deliver on that promise. Read my blog for more on how you create your own kind of magic in your career.
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.
Notable Moments
01:02 Career Built on Audacious Ideas
04:57 NASA Sends Buzz Lightyear to Space
06:46 Toolkit for Post-Pandemic Innovation
09:41 Future-Proof Skills Include Creativity & Empathy
19:35 Empathy Insights from Frontline Workers
23:03 Transformative Workshop Experiences
Creativity is not bound by job titles. It thrives where it is allowed to breathe. Duncan Wardle spent over 25 years at Disney, including as former Head of Innovation and Creativity. He believes creativity and innovation are within everyone’s reach, you just have to let them happen. Take a listen to hear how he turned his concept of creativity into a toolkit, making it accessible to every level of an organization. Read my blog for more on how magic is created when everyone is invited to the dream-building process.
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.
"Customers today really want that speed of answer. They are impressed when people who get back to them quickly and answer their questions."
Video can transform your customer service in ways you might not have imagined. It seems like today speed and personalization are key. I have found that using video for customer support can set you apart from the competition. Read my blog for more from this episode on how video makes it easier to connect with your customers on a personal level.
Notable Moments
00:37 Addressing Customer Support with Videos
04:57 Effective Communication Through Video
07:14 Using Video for Internal Communication
10:12 Planning for Clear Communication
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.
"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.
Order the book – Dream Chasing
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.
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
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.
"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
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.
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
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.
"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
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.
"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
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.