Disney Leaders Share Leadership Lessons
Yesterday I was pleased to learn many leadership lessons in the latest “Disney Ambassador Presents” series on Zoom: Transforming Leadership.
This virtual session included a conversation with inspiring leaders from across the company.
Image credit: Disney Ambassador Program
The goal of this panel is to provide our cast members with tips and guidance in pursuing a leadership role or growing in their own personal leadership journeys.
Cast members are trained from day one on the five Disney keys: safety, courtesy, show, efficiency and inclusion.
Before I dive into the leadership lessons shared, let’s meet the panelists!
Shelby Curry, director of diversity, equity and inclusion communications for The Walt Disney Company.
Image credit: Linkedin
Marybeth Miller, general manager, Disneyland Park east operations
Image credit: Disney Parks Blog
James Heath, senior duty manager, Disney California Adventure
Image credit: Disney
Andrae Gill, director event planning, operations and strategy at the Disneyland Resort. Andrae was also Disneyland’s 50th anniversary Ambassador, serving from 2005-2006.
Image credit: Disney
Mark Everett King, Jr., 2022-2023 Disney Ambassador, Disneyland
Image credit: Disneyland
Jerome Smith, general manager, Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
Ali Manion, 2022-2023 Disney Ambassador, Walt Disney World
Image credit: Disney
Raevon Redding, 2022-2023 Disney Ambassador, Walt Disney World
Image credit: Disney
Nataly Guzman, 2022-2023 Disney Ambassador, Disneyland
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Leadership is all about serving first
Leaders need to motivate and encourage their teams.
horticulture team Disneyland
Leadership has its challenges
Like delivering bad news when you really don’t want to. Or when you don’t have all the answers.
Learn how to adapt and to be positive
Bring joy to your work and live your truth.
The team behind Pixar’s SparkShort “Loop”
Image Credit: Disney
Get to know your people
Photo: Disney
Over communicate
Follow up when you say you’re going to do something. Respond in a timely manner.
Build your self-confidence and your voice.
Image: DesigningDisney.com
Do it with fear
It’s ok to do your job afraid – in the end it will work out for the good.
Just because you don’t check all the boxes for a posted role doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified.
You can influence just by helping others
Change is happening so fast. Be authentic to who you are.
Be resilient enough to strive to be better.
Make a better cast experience to make a better guest experience
Operate as if you have only six months in a role but make decisions like you’ll have that role for 100 years
You’ve got to move and make decisions that will move your business forward.
Make decisions with the impact they’ll have on you in mind.
Photo Credit: Jeff Vahle
The modern Disney is really about YOU
Be a good person. Be a good role model. Do the right things. Lead with your heart.
Lead wherever you are
Lead wherever you areEven if you are an hourly cast member. Be an ear to your fellow cast members.
Photo: Disney
You don’t have to have a title to be a leader
Find someone who can be your confidante, someone you can talk with every day about daily challenges.
Learn from each other about how you would like to lead.
Photo: Disney
You have to do what is right
Lead by example. Others will see your hard work and will follow your example.
Photo: Disney
Emotional intelligence is a vital skill that you need in leadership
Sailboat theory: you can adjust your sail just a little bit and be 1,000 miles away.
If you change your attitude or how you do things just a little bit, you can make a big impact.
You have to see the glass as half full, and you have to figure out how to get it done and how to drive results versus all the reasons why you can’t.
Make a positive impact
[Jerome Smith] My why is impact. My why in a sentence is to empower others through relatable stories to help them go from good to great.
Credit: Disney
Make work a place of transparency, honesty and authenticity
Three behaviors to follow
[Raevon Redding] I promise to be responsible for my choices, to keep learning as I go and to teach others what I know.
I am fired up after listening to all of these inspiring leaders – how about you?
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