Creating Disney Magic

By Lee Cockerell

Lee Cockerell shares his wisdom and experience from his time as the Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World. Along with host Jody Maberry, Lee discusses how you can apply lessons ... more

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The podcast currently has 632 episodes available.

Best of Creating Disney Magic

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Can Your Operation Keep Your Promises?
"The customer doesn't care about who did what. They want it to be right." Episode Chapters [00:01:41] Can Operations Deliver What Marketing Promises? [00:04:21] Keeping the Frontline Informed [00:06:52] Creating One Purpose Across Departments [00:08:41] Trust, Ethics, and Speaking Up [00:10:18] Preparing Operations for Big Disney Announcements [00:14:24] Meeting the Expectations You Create Every promise your organization makes creates an expectation your operation must be prepared to meet. Lee Cockerell discussed what happens behind the scenes when marketing, sales, creative teams, and operations need to work together to deliver for the customer. Lee uses his experiences as a leader at Walt Disney World to highlight the importance of communication, respecting each department's expertise, preparing frontline employees, and creating a culture where people are comfortable speaking up when they see a potential problem. Customers don't care which department made the promise. They remember whether your organization kept it. 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.
September 01, 202617min
Number 2: Little Problems Become Big Problems
"If somebody tells you something needs fixed and you don't do something about it, then you really lose credibility very quickly." Episode Chapters [00:01:19] When a Small Problem Becomes Serious [00:04:24] Acting Quickly and Listening to Experts [00:05:07] What D23 Teaches About Attention to Detail [00:10:28] Why Leaders Need to Walk the Operation [00:14:04] Go to the Source to Find the Facts Little problems have a way of becoming bigger when they are overlooked, but sometimes they grow even when you think you are handling them. Lee Cockerell shares the scary reaility of that lesson through a recent health scare. Jody Maberry also shares his experience at D23. Both perspectives show the importance of responding quickly when something isn't improving and noticing operational details before they affect customers. The conversation is a reminder that good leadership requires attention and follow-through. It starts with a willingness to go directly to the source when you need to understand what is really happening. 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.
August 25, 202616min
Number 3: Honoring Heritage Doesn't Mean Staying The Same
"What seems insignificant to you may carry tremendous meaning for your customer." Episode Chapters [00:01:27] Honoring Heritage Without Staying the Same [00:03:54] Protecting What Customers Value [00:06:23] Knowing When to Reverse a Change [00:08:18] Moving Beyond Resistance to New Ideas [00:11:01] Adapting Without Losing Your Purpose Change is necessary for any organization that wants to remain relevant, but moving forward does not mean abandoning what people already value. Lee Cockerell, retired Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World, how leaders can balance heritage with changing customer expectations. From hotel amenities and technology to beloved Disney experiences, they explore why leaders need to understand the emotional connections customers have with a brand. Lee also explains the importance of listening, researching major changes, communicating the reasoning behind decisions, and being willing to change course when something does not work. 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.
September 08, 202615min
Number 4: Be a Good Role Model
"If you know something, you ought to be teaching it to others." Episode Chapters [00:01:36] When People Consider You a Role Model [00:03:23] Why Helping Others Changes You Too [00:07:20] Becoming the Person People Expect You to Be [00:09:31] What It Takes to Be a Good Role Model [00:10:00] Managing Emotions and Treating People with Respect You may be a role model without realizing it. In this episode, Lee Cockerell shares what happens when people look up to you and how that responsibility shapes the way you lead. Lee reflects on his evolution from an intimidating young manager to someone known for teaching and helping others. Being a good role model doesn't require a prestigious title. It comes from controlling your emotions and treating people with respect. Consistently showing up and making time to help others says more about a leader than a title ever will. 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.
August 11, 202616min
Number 5: Advice for College Students
"Great people with a great attitude will always get noticed." Episode Chapters [00:00:58] Speaking to Disney College Program participants [00:03:16] Advice for landing your first career opportunity [00:05:18] Why Disney experience opens doors [00:08:48] The biggest concerns facing college students [00:12:39] Lee's best advice for young professionals Starting a career can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to land the "perfect" first job. In this episode, Lee Cockerell reflects on speaking to Disney College Program participants at Flamingo Crossings Village. He shares the advice he wishes every college student could hear, as thoughts on choosing the right company to embracing uncertainty. As Lee always says, experience, exposure, and a great attitude create opportunities that no resume alone can provide. 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.
August 04, 202616min