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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: March, 2026
Mar 31, 2026

"If you don’t enforce it, you’re giving permission.”

Notable Moments

[03:02] When a High Performer Breaks the Rules

[03:46] Having the Hard Conversation with Clarity

[05:16] Why Favoritism Destroys Culture

[08:06] What Behavior Signals to the Team

[09:56] Why Leaders Must Enforce Standards Consistently

What do you do when your best employee refuses to follow the rules? In this episode, Lee Cockerell, retired executive VP of Walt Disney World, explains why leaders must enforce policies consistently, even with top performers. Allowing exceptions sends the wrong message to the team, weakens culture, and creates long-term problems. Strong leadership requires clear expectations, fairness, and the courage to have difficult conversations.

Read my blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

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. 

Mar 24, 2026

“We have internal customers, and the business depends on them.”

Episode Highlights

[00:02:20] Recognizing Internal Customers
[00:03:52] Elevating the Value of Support Roles
[00:09:32] Getting Team Buy-In and Changing Mindset
[00:11:36] Building a Culture Where Everyone Supports Everyone

Customer service doesn’t stop at external guests. In this episode, Lee Cockerell explains your coworkers are just as important to the success of any organization. They should be consdiered internal customers. He shares how leaders can shift mindsets, elevate support roles, and create a culture where teams actively help one another deliver better results for everyone.

Read the blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

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.

Mar 17, 2026

“Somebody’s either got to step up, or people are going to start to step out.”

Notable Moments

[00:01:15] Why Speaking Up Requires Courage
[00:02:06] Safe Ways to Surface a Leadership Issue
[00:03:13] Why Leaders Must Invite Honest Feedback
[00:07:24] Building Trust So Employees Will Speak Up
[00:11:22] Why Hiring Still Drives Culture and Performance

Speaking up about leadership issues can feel risky, especially when the problem involves a manager above you. In this episode, Lee Cockerell, retired Executive VP of Operations at Walt Disney World, explains why courage and ethical leadership are essential when workplace culture begins to suffer. He shares ways employees can bring up concerns safely and why great leaders create environments where honest feedback is welcomed.

Read my blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

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

Mar 10, 2026

"Storytelling helps people understand where they fit in creating the magic.”

Episode Highlights

[00:02:19] Recruiting People Who Believe in Excellence
[00:03:29] Explaining the Long-Term Value of High Standards
[00:07:48] Getting Buy-In From Your Current Team
[00:10:07] Why Accountability Strengthens Culture
[00:10:38] Using Storytelling to Define Customer Experience

Setting high customer service standards is one thing. Getting your team to buy into them is another. In this episode, Lee Cockerell explains how leaders can recruit, train, and communicate in ways that build a culture of excellence. From better interviews to storytelling that defines the ideal customer experience, leaders can create clarity that inspires accountability and pride in great service.

Read my blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

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.

 

 

Mar 3, 2026

“If someone changes, something changed.”

Episode Chapters

[00:01:26] Why Anxiety Often Isn’t About the Job
[00:03:21] When Accumulated Pressure Turns Into Anxiety
[00:05:29] Why Talking and Therapy Matter
[00:07:07] What Leaders Should Watch For
[00:10:44] Creating Psychological Safety at Work

Anxiety in the workplace is rising, and it’s rarely caused by just one thing. In this episode, Lee Cockerell shares personal experience with anxiety and depression and explains why accumulated pressures such as financial, personal, and professional, often trigger it. He offers guidance for individuals seeking help and practical advice for leaders who want to create psychological safety for their teams.

Read my blog for more from this episode. 

Resources

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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