Creating Disney Magic

I recently sent out an email where I said, "The more you say yes at work, the more you'll have to say no to something at home." In response, a listener asked if I could talk more about the right balance there. When should we say yes and when should we say no while still being a good employee? Start by thinking about the most important, no-exception items in your life. Once you know these, you'll k...

Recently, Jody and I were on a training call with an organization. One of the attendees asked what I used to look for when I was thinking of promoting somebody. It comes down to the 3 P's: persistence, passion, and people. Persistence means being an employee that others can count on. It's finishing the job no matter what. It's never leaving anything hanging. When we are persistent, others can't he...

You can't lead from your office with your feet on the desk. One of our listeners works under a boss who is likely leading that way. That listener recently asked how to bring up to their manager that their customer service was poor. Ideally, the owner of an organization would have clear expectations for providing feedback. Bosses should make it clear that they are willing to hearing employees' idea...

If you've worked at a company for any length of time, you've probably come up with some ideas for how it could improve. It's hard when you get excited about something and bring it to your boss, only to have them shut it down. On this episode, we're answering a listener question about this very subject. This listener explained that when she gives ideas to her boss, he always shoots them down. It's...

I've been very open about my struggle with depression in the past. Though I am doing great now, I still remember what it was like. A listener recently told us that they were just coming out of their own struggle with depression, but were feeling overwhelmed with building back their healthy habits. This is not something that I want to be an expert in, but the truth is that I am. We can't expect eve...

It's performance review time for many organizations. Towards the end of a year or the beginning of a new year, many companies will hold these reviews for their employees. They look back on what each one worked on and accomplished over the last year. On this episode, we're discussing performance reviews from a different perspective than we have before. A listener asked how she, as an individual con...

This week's episode is a special one. We're sharing a clip from our conversation with Ron Logan. Ron is retired now, but he was the Executive Vice President of live entertainment for Disney worldwide.  If you have ever experienced live entertainment at any Disney location, Ron had a part in it. Even though he is retired today, his impact is still felt at every Disney park. Ron is a man of attentio...

Are you helping or enabling? Do you know the difference between the two? Listener Greg Parsons recently asked us what the difference is. On this episode, we're breaking it down and explaining how you can tell if you're helping or enabling. Helping is setting clear expectations and sticking to them. It is teaching somebody how to do something and then letting them go off on their own to do it. When...

On this week's episode, we're answering a question that came to us from Joe Fernandez. He is a Park Ranger and is wondering how to respond well to a crisis. Joe wants to know how he can continue to lead with a positive attitude during times of uncertainty. At Disney, we were prepared for anything. We thought about crises before they happened. You should do the same. Anticipate what could happen an...

One important key in time management is realizing that being late is a choice.  Too many of us think it's a phenomenon. In reality, we can make the choice to be on time or we can make the choice to be late.  When we become that person who is always five minutes late, our reputation is damaged. People start to believe they can't trust you. You appear unprofessional and impolite to the people who ar...

People feel they are the only one until you say it out loud. In a recent training session, I gave this advice when someone asked about communication.  I wanted those leaders and I want all of you to understand that by not speaking up when someone says something you don't agree with, you're approving it. This all comes down to communicating effectively as a leader. We need to make sure that we are...

Everyone has a story they can tell. If you're good at anything and have a message that can help people, you can become a speaker. It just takes habit and practice. Listener Steve Ross asked how I knew the time was right to become a keynote speaker. I started by speaking at conventions that came to Disney and eventually started working and traveling with a company for a year. I also did lots of fre...

Team sports are all about learning to rely on others and taking responsibility for your own actions. No matter what each player looks like or where they come from, they all work together to accomplish the goal. Reggie Williams learned this lesson during his 14 years as an NFL star. He experienced incredible hardships, but through the entire process developed resiliency. Many people don't overcome...

Are you required to put in enough time on the job to get respect or have influence? Someone who listens to the Creating Disney Magic said they have been given a responsibility that is higher than their experience. However, they're confident about their knowledge. Sometimes, they feel like their colleagues don't take them seriously because they're underage for their role and asked for tips on how t...

Not only does training benefit the employees of a company, but it benefits the company itself, too. As we've talked about in previous episodes, when you spend time and money on someone, it shows them that they matter and that you care about them. They understand just how valued they are. Training also builds trust. Your people will say good things about you behind your back when you invest in them...

In a past episode of Creating Disney Magic, I said it was a mistake to try to live two separate lives; one at home and one at work.  Since we have never discussed it in a full episode, a listener wrote in asking us to talk more about it. So in this episode, we get right into it.  The truth is, you don't get to live two lives. You have to get everything done in the one life you are given. The way t...

Many people are struggling with the job search right now, so on this episode of Creating Disney Magic we and a listener question. She asked, "How do I reenter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for 17 years?" In this episode, I explain how to sell yourself through your resume, even if you don't have directly relevant experience for the position for which you're applying. It's all about t...

Show your employees that you care and in return, you'll get commitment. When I was at Disney, we gave housekeepers an hour to attend English lessons. We hired local professors to teach these classes. As a result,  the turnover rate for housekeepers dropped down to almost zero. When you're investing in people, you're showing them you care. Leadership is about taking care of people. It's all about s...

When we don't have much experience in the field we're working in, or get a big promotion, we can have what some people call Imposter Syndrome.  Imposter syndrome is when you feel like you aren't deserving or good enough for the opportunity, even if your track record might suggest otherwise.  These feelings can be especially prevalent we don't have much experience in the field in This week's episod...

Innovation doesn't get in the way of structure. Innovation helps create structure. Your organization needs to have policies, procedures, and standards within your organization in order to protect your employees and prevent disaster. Once we figure out the best way to do something, we must do it that way and make sure everyone in the organization knows we do it that way. Structure won't lead to mic...

On this episode of Creating Disney Magic, I answer two listener questions. Both about looking for or starting new jobs.  Here are some tips; Applying for jobs online is tough. It is better to know someone. Be recommendable and have someone who can recommend you.  Use a resume as a way for people to find out who you are, not just what you have done.  My career didn't take off until my mid-forties....

On this episode of Creating Disney Magic, I want to talk about the importance of continuous training for leaders and employees. When should you redo formal training? The training interval will vary depending on what field you're in. For example, if you are in the medical field, you would need to stay current on pathogens, policy, and procedures for illness and infections. Where if you are in the f...

On this episode of Creating Disney Magic, we have an anonymous listener question that strikes a chord with a lot of people including myself.  "What do you do when someone takes credit for your ideas?"  It is really tough when someone takes an idea you shared, possibly in confidence with them, and presents it as their own idea. What this really indicates is that the person, claiming it as their own...

I am excited to announce the launch of The Cockerell Academy . The Cockerell Academy is the best thing I have ever created. It is full of courses on leadership, management, customer service, and culture. When you enroll, you will get instant access to six courses: Time Management Magic Morning Magic Planning Career Magic 30 Career Success for Students Perfect Day for Your Customers World Class Cus...

On this episode, I'll answer two reader questions on  "How to Manage Your Mood". The first question is from John Sparks.  John asks "How did you grow to control your thoughts and reactions? How do you catch and manage your moods?" Here are my best tips for managing, catching, and controlling moods. -When I am feeling good I can control my behavior, thoughts, and mood much easier. -I always preach...