Creating Disney Magic: Lessons In Leadership, Management, And Customer Service

“Maybe it's time to pivot your career and start pouring into other people all the wisdom that you've gotten to save them a heck of a lot of trouble that they could get into." - Donald Miller Key Moments [00:04:45] – The impact of coaching [00:06:44] - The inspiration behind Donald Miller’s new book, "Coach Builder." [00:08:54] – Transitioning to coaching and making money as a coach [00:11:42] - The value of coaching and consulting. [00:14:39] – How to access Donald Miller's new book and additional resources. Resources from Donald Miller Order the Book Coach Builder Visit the website https://coachbuilder.com/ Connect with Lee The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Building a Coaching Business Donald Miller is a renowned author and expert in business coaching. He returns to the podcast for another conversation about how business leaders unlock their full potential. This time by building a coaching business. We also discuss his new book, "Coach Builder: How to Turn Your Expertise into a Prof

"Make sure you reach and research a subject to understand it. Become an expert, and you'll probably come off as an expert." Key Moments 02:10 Research and collect input from others. 04:54 Organize knowledge and gain confidence to share your ideas. 08:31 Speak up to share your ideas and opinions.  10:09 Companies need experts for informed decision-making. Make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. Let them plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Building Credibility It is important to compose yourself and create credibility, especially when you have limited experience in a new management role.  This is especially true if you want to nail your executive presence and create credibility in front of your leaders. Collect information and ideas from others, practice speaking up, and be fearless in presenting new concepts to executives. Continuous learning and preparation are the easiest way to build credibility.

"If you understand how it benefits a customer and you get to know your customers, then you can promote or upsell products that are a good fit for them because you know them." Key Moments 02:21 Employee motivation for cross selling. 04:36 Importance of understanding, rehearsing, and training for product sales. 07:12 Promote products by understanding and educating customers. 12:19 Cockrell Academy is shifting to individual courses. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Upselling Your Products It takes a clear understanding of your customer to encourage and motivate employees to upsell products and services through service.  Providing thorough education on the products and services offered will empower your team. Once they understand what they are selling, they will be able to confidently engage with customers and understand the value of each offering. When employees understand the benefits of a product or service, they can effectively communicate how it can serve the customer's

 “Most people want to do a good job, but they just fall back into their habits.” Key Moments 01:07 Managers need to reinforce good habits in employees. 05:17 Leadership requires empathy and patience. 08:02 Frontline staff are key to customer experience. 10:31 Consider time and effort before making changes. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Follow Through With Training  Every manager has had to train new employees at some point in their leadership journey.  Recently a listener reached out with a relatable question. Tina said, ““I train people, but a few weeks in, not only are they not doing what they were trained to do, they have even picked up poor habits. What do I do about it?" There are several ways to effectively train new employees, rectify bad habits, and reinforce company standards. It is vital that leaders are present and observant within your organization. Correct employees immediately when they deviate from the training. On the flip side, make sure you are consis

  "Poor and good are the same because they're not great. And I think if you want to be world class, you have to have that attitude that poor and good are the same." Key Moments 00:08 - What Does it Mean to be World Class?  04:51 - Examples of World Class Businesses 06:30 - Importance of Consistency, Excellence, and Commitment 11:59 - Maintaining a World Class Business 14:40 - Cockerel Academy and World Class Workshops Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Become a World Class Organization Many people want to have a "world-class" organization, but few truly know what they mean by that.  During the years I worked at Hilton, Marriott, and Disney I was able to experience it first-hand. With that said, world-class customer service is not reserved only for famous and large-scale organizations. Even a small corner restaurant in your town can be world-class if it ticks all the right boxes. Consistency, excellence, and customer satisfaction are integral to being world-class. Consistenc

“It’s natural to complain about what we didn't get in life instead of remembering what we have." Key Moments 00:57 Reminding employees of support and solutions provided. 03:29 Showing appreciation through listening and communication. 07:26 Respectfully communicate, record feedback, and communicate back for trust and improvement. 09:40 Opinions matter. Communication is essential for positive morale. 12:56 Cockerell Academy and newsletter Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Let Your Team Know What You've Done For Them When leaders effectively explain the actions taken to address their teams’ concerns, it leads to greater trust and appreciation. It starts by actively listening to employees' concerns and ideas. By creating a system to record and address their feedback, you build trust and show that their opinions matter. Leaders need to keep employees informed about the actions taken based on their feedback. Whether it's fixing a leaking water fountain or providing more coat han

"Success came from the way they started, the way they were persistent, the way that when they had a problem, they worked through it.” Episode Highlights 00:57 Business success comes from founders' persistence and passion. 04:24 Excellent service and quality product helps business growth. 08:45 The impact of Disney, Hilton, and Marriott success in existing vs. new industries. 14:20 Successful business strategy to Identify problems, find solutions, seek improvement. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Make a Big Deal Out of the Little Things Newer businesses have a lot to learn around the things that have kept Hilton, Marriott, and Disney successful for over 100 years. These companies have stood the test of time. One of their greatest strengths is emphasizing the importance of paying attention to even the smallest details. Each of their founders had relentless passion and persistence. They also made sure to lay the groundwork for offering exceptional customer service and an unw

“There's not a personal I wouldn't say they appreciate it when they get some positive feedback and encouragement and, Even the people who got a bad attitude, that's how you turn a bad attitude around is over time.” Episode Highlights 00:43 Importance of appreciation, recognition, and encouragement. 05:14 Offering genuine praise and acknowledgment is important and free, and it benefits everyone. 08:42 Satisfaction comes from making a positive impact. 12:23 Maintaining positive attitude crucial for employee productivity. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader The Secret to What People Really Want The secret to great leadership and creating a positive work culture is all about "burning the free fuel”. It’s a critical element for effective leadership and management practices. People crave appreciation, recognition, and encouragement. It's the fuel that drives motivation and unleashes productivity. And the best part? It costs absolutely nothing. Appreciation is more than just saying

"Our job as a leader or a parent is to keep our people emotionally, psychologically, and physically safe." Episode Highlights 001:07 Importance of leaders building trust and openness 04:45 Open communication crucial for understanding in relationships. 09:00 Confirming, addressing, and neutralizing disrespectful behavior in the workplace. 12:36 Becoming aware of personal responsibility, taking action. 13:24 Understanding self-improvement, take action, communicate, and address issues in leadership. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader The Peril of Not Keeping in Touch with the Front Line One of the biggest mistakes I see leaders make is not keeping in touch with the front line. We recently had someone ask what to do when a manager has not been treating staff with respect, causing upheaval within the organization. There are a few ways to address issues like this and regain the trust and respect of the team. But if you want to know what's going on, you have to spend time being out

"Quit having meetings and have conversations." Episode Highlights 00:00 Teamwork in escape room teaches effective problem-solving. 05:58 Asking for opinions builds team trust. 09:31 Setting deadlines cultivates success in all areas. 12:19 Cockrell Academy for team problem-solving courses. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Leaders can bring their team together to solve problems by asking questions and creating a culture of inclusion and respect. Using the collective expertise of your team helps achieve better solutions. It all starts by creating a supportive and collaborative environment. During this episode we discuss the importance of solving problems with the team. Never underestimate the value of involving others in problem-solving. It's about leveraging diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise within the team to arrive at the best solutions. The best way to solve problems is by working with others.  One of the key roles of a leader is to ask a lot of questions

Make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. Let them plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader  

 “When you lead, be tough, not hard." Lee Cockerell Episode Highlights 01:04 Gain a reputation of high standards. 05:32 Rules and values must be enforced to be effective. 07:36 Appearance impacts perception of leadership and quality. 10:33 High standards requires consistent education, training, and discipline. 13:16 Train managers to make tough decisions. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader You Can Be Nice and Tough A listener recently reached out with a question about my leadership style. They say that Disney employees describe me as a legendary leader, but also mention that working under me could be challenging due to my high standards. I have to say that I agree with this assessment. It comes down to having the courage to enforce rules. Being tough doesn't mean being mean or disrespectful. It's about taking responsibility as a leader or manager and ensuring that policies, procedures, values, and ethics are upheld. It's about creating a culture of excellence. Being an effe

“People don't like a lot of the jobs they have to do, but they look back on them and think, ‘wow! Look how much I learned back then’.” Episode Highlights 01:30 Competition is increasing; experience and skills are important.  03:16 Exposure to new cities and ways of doing things elevates one's level. 07:30 Exposure, experience, and knowledge lead to growth. 11:57 Time management; schedule the things that are important to you. 13:36 Promoting someone lacking experience but has potential. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Preparing for the Next Level of Your Career As you climb the professional ladder each level brings new challenges and competition. Prepare yourself by acquiring knowledge, gaining experience, and seeking exposure to new ways of doing things. During this conversation Jody and I discuss preparing for the next level of your career. The journey to success requires continuous growth. While getting a promotion is certainly something to celebrate, it is also easy to

“If you want to have a better life and start to do better, to be better, and to feel better, you need to start making better decisions." - Lee Cockerell Episode Highlights [00:01:32] The importance of following up [00:04:50] Make time for learning; Manage your time to improve your life. [00:09:30] Analyzing meetings is essential for getting more out of training and meetings [00:12:47] Hiring, training, and treating employees well are key factors that impact performance. [00:14:11] A recap of high impact books featured on the podcast. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Take Advantage of Information One of the things I really worry a lot about is when people don’t take advantage of information and resources available to them. With almost 500 episodes of the Creating Disney Magic podcast there is a wealth of knowledge and tools to help people succeed. We also provide education that is practical and actionable with the Cockrell Academy and our monthly Main Street Leader subscrip

“Make things better through your people, not through you." Episode Highlights [00:01:11] Good leaders train, appreciate, recognize, and develop employees. [00:03:59] Impactful communication key for emotional well-being. [00:07:33] Pay attention to signs of anxiety and depression. [00:09:50] Most important things as a leader are details and people. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Pay Attention to People Paying attention to people is an essential leadership skill. It can lead to improved performance, employee satisfaction, and overall success. The root of everything, good or bad, lies in great people. When leaders are clear with expectations, provide training, appreciation, recognition, and development, employees pay attention to the details. It all starts with people. Sadly, some leaders neglect their responsibility towards their team. They don't know their people, don't care about their career, and fail. Creating an environment of trust, appreciation, positive feedback, a

“Almost every part of your life, day, moment and its details will help you be safer, better, more well thought of, and probably more successful." Episode Highlights [00:02:15] Do better, faster, and keep promises. Hire people who get things done. [00:03:32] Attention to detail is crucial for success. Start early and make time for revisions. [00:07:07] Not taking the time to research can cause missed opportunities. [00:12:27] People strive to be good. [00:13:21] Marriott leadership was always seen and people know their feedback was received Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Be Relentless About Details Details are the difference-maker in successful organizations. Paying attention to the small things can have a huge impact on your personal and professional life. Just imagine taking a wrong turn or missing a small step in a process. These seemingly insignificant details can have a huge impact on the outcome. It's all about making the right decisions and paying attention to the

"We don't give people the benefit of the doubt sometimes because that first impression is so strong." Episode Highlights [00:02:41] First impressions matter, be mindful of judging others. [00:03:23] First impressions are important - be prepared and stay ready. [00:08:38] Be conscious of the impression you leave through your words and actions. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader We have all have had someone tell us to make a good first impression. During this episode I share the value of dressing for success and being prepared for any encounter. This is a lesson I learned that has stuck with me throughout my career.  Believe it or not, your appearance, professionalism, and attention to detail will create a lasting positive impression.  First impressions can shape people's perceptions of us and even affect our professional growth. The first moments when you meet someone are crucial, whether it's a potential client, business partner, or even a new friend. It's like our mothers t

"The only person that can control your life is you. And if you don't, don't blame anybody else. It's not your mother's fault. It's, it's your fault." Episode Highlights [00:03:08] Nobody should want you to get training more than you [00:04:44] Learn what you need for promotion, and find opportunities for self-education. [00:07:19] Reading daily is essential for personal growth and success in life. [00:10:06] Find an expert or learn from someone in your network. Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader If you depend on anybody to prepare you for your future, you're crazy. Nobody cares about you like you do. You are responsible for your own personal training developments. Relying on others, such as employers or government agencies, for training is not a reliable strategy for success. During this conversation Jody and I talk about why it is important to take ownership of your own training. Anyone that wants to do well at work should actively seek opportunities for growth. Whether you

"Women are natural born leaders. The things that women do at home and they do it in a Very naturally because it's their motherly instinct..." - Valerie Cockerell [00:02:18] Valerie Cockerell's new book about parallell between motherhood and leadership [00:06:30] Learning on the job and adapting to challenges [00:13:06] Men must become advocates for women. [00:17:17] Gaps in women's resumes should not be seen as setbacks, but as opportunities to develop leadership skills. [00:19:58] Different perspectives shape our effective teamwork. [00:22:37] In evolution, men relied on strength, while women collaborated defensively; this may explain women's emotional intelligence and collaboration. Make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. Let them plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694. Connect with Valerie: Order the book - Manage Like a Mother LinkedIn - Connect with Valerie Resources The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Mothers make outstanding leaders. My newsl

“it's really up to the leader to set that environment and culture where people are comfortable, bringing up anything because everybody matters in them here." – Lee Cockerell leaders can create a successful team by understanding their needs. Take the time to ask your team members what they need from you to enhance their performance. The “small” things that may seem insignificant to you as a leader can have a significant impact on your team's efficiency, satisfaction, and ultimately, their success During my time as a manager of the Marriott hotel in Massachusetts I would ask every department what they needed to do their job better. The answers were surprising. For the housekeepers, it was something as simple as more hangers. And guess what? It made a huge difference. While a hanger may seem insignificant as a leader, that can be the big thing that makes the team happier, more productive, and proud of their work.When you ask your team the right questions you will discover what tools, resources, or support they n