How Does Disney Lead?

The harsh reality is that satisfaction is dangerous.

At Disney, we are never satisfied.

Every day, all day, we are focused on exceeding expectations at every customer and employee touch point.

Sound like your organization?

Never satisfied?

Never.

Satisfied.

A world-class organizational leadership culture must set a standard so high, it literally guarantees competitive immunity.

Think about it and imagine your organizational leadership being intentional and relentless about clearly outdistancing your competition.

Now imagine how aiming for solid customer and employee “satisfaction” scores on your surveys.

Satisfaction is not the goal.

Exceeding expectations is the goal.

World-class leadership excellence is the goal.

•  •  •  •  •

This website is about our MIND. To read today’s post about our BODY, click here.

Lead Like You Mean it

If you are accused of being a great leader, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

When i say lead like you mean it, i mean, and sorry if this feels uncomfortable, does the level of inspiration rise when you show up? Does it remain high when you’re not there?

What if it did on both accounts?

Here’s the harsh reality, it’s not the Disney Magic that makes it work, it’s the hard work that makes it Magic.

Nothing substitutes for focus, discipline, and a clear, concise, and compelling vision.

•  •  •  •  •

This website is about our MIND. To read today’s post about our BODY, click here.

If You Need Inspiring Words, Don’t Do It

Be so clear about the leadership excellence you want to architect, build, and grow that nothing can extinguish your fire.

Burn the ships.

If what you’re doing doesn’t make our world better, you’ll know it because you’ll keep hitting your snooze button.

And if hitting the snooze button is your modus operandi (yes, it’s criminal), no amount of inspirational quotes and anecdotes will ever move the needle.

Positive, uplifting quotes are wonderful. They give us the same warm and fuzzy feeling a shot of whiskey provides to an alcoholic. But you’ll never see anyone world-class doing shots before they do important, inspiring work.

Our goal is to literally jump out of bed at the first chiming of our morning ringtone and welcome the brand new day like we’re welcoming the most important day of our life.

Is boldness genius?

You could Google it to research who said it (like it even matters), or you could say it and get to work – like you mean it (which matters more than anything).

•  •  •  •  •

This website is about our MIND. To read today’s post about our BODY, click here.

Disconnect From Hope and Enthusiasm

Connect to hard work.

The only way to become a better leader – and stay a better leader – is to outwork your previous self.

The others around you aren’t your competition, although we are tempted to live in that paradigm.

Our old habits of banking on hope and enthusiasm, yet not being willing to .think .differently will fail us.

We must become an insatiable student and a remarkable teacher of leadership excellence.

Then we’ll come full circle and we can again embrace hope and enthusiasm.

•  •  •  •  •

This website is about our MIND. To read today’s post about our BODY, click here.

Be A Yes Person

We understand the ready, fire, aim concept.

But do we live the essential essence of the opposite; intentional and proactive thinking and doing?

Years ago one of my favorite Disney colleagues, Dennis Frare, shared a statement that is one of the most profound truths i’ve ever heard.

To know is to do. To know and not do, is to not yet know.

The value of the following yes-or-no questions is self-evident and irrefutable.

Have fun answering.

1. i have read at least 24 leadership books?
2. i am the most passionate student of leadership i know?
3. i subscribe to, and read, at least two daily leadership blogs?
4. i have personally written extensively (subjective) about leadership values and behaviors?
5. i teach leadership to others?
6. i have a clear, concise, and compelling vision?

These questions are the ticket to the dance. They are in no way all-inclusive. The road to excellence has no finish line.

•  •  •  •  •

This website is about our MIND. To read today’s post about our BODY, click here.