Creating Disney Magic

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, and emotional safety is crucial for productivity and growth. Understand that people are sensitive and fragile. Treat them well, and they will thrive.

Remember, it's not just about attention to operational detail. People need attention too! Notice when something has changed with your team. A gentle approach can save their career, their view of the company, and even their personal struggles. Pay attention! In challenging times like these, anxiety and depression are prevalent. It's our responsibility to be alert and pay attention to everyone in our lives. Look for signs that people need support and positive interaction. Let's be there for one another.

Attention to people is the heart of effective leadership. When leaders prioritize their team's well-being, everything else falls into place. Let's commit to being leaders who create magic by paying attention to the people who make it all possible.

People that know how to plan a trip are the agents with Magical Vacation Planners. Let them help plan your next trip. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

The Secret to What People Really Want

Creating Disney Magic

12/26/23 • 14 min

“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 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 "thanks." It's about genuinely valuing and respecting the people around us. Everyone craves a little appreciation. Whether it's a co-worker's hard work or a friend's support, taking the time to say "hey, I see you and I'm grateful for you" can have a serious impact on their day.

Hearing your name in the spotlight can be a real game-changer. That is why even a little recognition goes a long way with people. Whether it's a shoutout in a meeting or a one-on-one kudos, recognizing someone's effort can light a fire under them. It's all about growing together, professionally and personally.

Ever felt like a little pep talk changed your entire outlook? That's the magic of encouragement. It can melt away stress and boost confidence. A solid dose of encouragement goes a long way in driving positivity and progress. Without the fuel of positivity, productivity can tank, and team morale can hit rock bottom. It's a wake-up call to the power of these three simple acts.

Appreciation, recognition, and encouragement are the real deal. They impact everything from team dynamics to personal relationships. Which is why it is so important that we revisit the secret to what people really want. The more we fit them into our lives, the more everyone around us feels truly valued and supported. Embracing the power of appreciation, recognition, and encouragement doesn't just make our lives better – it makes the lives of those around us better too.

Magical Vacation Planners

The next time you want to take a trip make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. They know the secret to what people really want on vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Build Relationships Before You Need Them

Creating Disney Magic

06/25/24 • 11 min

"Make sure you're doing things for other people long before you're going to ask them to do something for you."

Key Moments

01:24 Building Meaningful Professional Relationships

04:57 How to Handle Unresponsive Colleagues

06:31 The Power of a Phone Call or Face to Face Conversation in a Digital Age

07:43 Impact of Personal Stress on Leadership

Resources

Build Relationships Before You Need Them

A crucial aspect of leadership and management is building relationships before you need them. When a someone takes the time to build relationships across departments, they ensure seamless collaboration when the time comes. Throughout my years as a leader, including an executive with The Walt Disney Company, I learned a number of practical strategies that maintain strong connections and while also making sure everyone is held accountable.

Everyone needs to recognize that proactive relationship building is always valuable. Develop strong connections with colleagues outside your department long before you need their help. Invest time in genuine interactions—have a casual lunch, send a thank-you note, or simply check in. These small gestures accumulate and solidify a foundation of trust and mutual support.

When you need to delegate tasks outside your department, be persistent yet considerate. This is not as challenging to do when you have already built a relationship and have an empathetic lens. Humor and directness can go a long way in breaking resistance. There are times you will have to push through the obstacles, but always maintain a respectful and understanding demeanor towards others' pressures and workloads.

In our digital age, it’s easy to rely on emails and texts. Switch things up and prioritize communication over convenience. Picking up the phone or having face-to-face conversations can resolve issues more effectively and save time. Direct communication makes sure everyone has clarity and shows your commitment to collaboration.

Whether you're in management, customer service, or just interested on leadership advice, this episode is an important one. If you are ready to create magic in your organization, make sure to listen. By the end you will be ready to build relationships that will pave the way for smoother operations and enhanced cooperation.

Magical Vacation Planners does a great job of building relationships. When you are ready for a vacation reach out to them. Once you meet their team you will know why you will want them to plan every trip you take. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Your Leadership Toolbox - Celebrating Episode 500

Creating Disney Magic

05/07/24 • 35 min

After many years in leadership I found there are some great tools to keep in your leadership toolbox. During this special virtual event celebrating episode 500, Jody and I welcomed people to a live recording. It was a great turnout and fun seeing so many familiar faces. Thank you for the ongoing support and commitment to create Disney magic in your organization.

This episode focuses on one big question to ask yourself:

Do YOU have the right tools in your toolbox to be an effective leader?

When you have a people problem, you need the right tool/tools to fix it. I've put together a list of the tools that have been most effective in my professional and personal life.

42 TOOLS

*Hiring, *Training, *Treatment, Discipline, *Empathy, *Knowledge, *Truth, *Clarity,

*Fairness, *Firmness, *Caring, *Coolness, *Calmness, *Collectedness, *Delegation,

*Trust, *Coaching, *Courage *Values, *Morals, *Learning, *Hiring, *Training, *Forgivness

*Treatment, *Urgency, *Teach *Hard Conversations, *Patience, *Recognition, *Apology

*Appreciation, *Encouragement , *Respect* Listen, *Inclusive, *Development, *Advice,

*Simple reminder, * Verbal Warning, Written Warning *Termination.

Remember, YOU may have created the problem in the first place by not using the right tools. Using the wrong tools can make the problem worse. 99 % of all problems are created by people and the other 1% by Mother Nature....Lee Cockerell

Special thank you to Jamie and J.J. Eubanks, founders of Magical Vacation Planners, for joining on this live episode. They are great and always make sure people have a great trip. Make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners to plan your next vacation or group travel event. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

And another thank you goes to Katie Currens, of One Spark Stories podcast, for shifting gears from her usual behind the scene work on the production of the show to tagging in to co-host this special episode.

Resources

Follow Through With Training

Creating Disney Magic

01/23/24 • 11 min

“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

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 consistently reminding them of the desired behaviors. It’s like parenting. You need patience and repetition to instill positive habits. Routine and repetition are your best friends. And if things don’t change right away, don’t let yourself get too frustrated.

Morning huddles or pre-shift meetings are a great way to reinforce company standards. These short sessions can serve as a platform to refresh employees on essential behaviors, taking care of the customer, and paying attention to detail. By doing this every morning, managers can effectively correct issues and ensure that employees are aligned with the company's expectations.

It is important to reinforce training and messages consistently, considering employees' limited experience and knowledge. The training process should involve a recurring reinforcement of the key principles rather than a complete retraining of all employees. Do this along with routine observations and immediate feedback or corrections can significantly contribute to the development of a well-functioning team.

When employees consistently fail to adhere to the current training, it's time for managers to make a judgment call. If essential corrections and reminders have not resulted in improvements, it may be necessary to consider making personnel changes. Ultimately, managers should decide if a change is needed after extended efforts to rectify the situation.

Make sure to listen to the full episode for more on the importance of consistent observation, training reinforcement, and knowing when to make changes to build and maintain a successful team. Remember, managing new employees is a bit like parenting, where lots of patience and guidance are needed.

One group that continuously follows through with training is Magical Vacation Planners. They make sure everyone on their team is ready to help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Ask For Your Next Opportunity

Creating Disney Magic

04/16/24 • 15 min

“People don't know what you’re thinking. You have to have the courage to go tell them." Key Moments

03:46 Typecasting in the Workplace

06:02 Taking Opportunities for Career Advancement

08:33 Proactive Pursuit of Career Goals

10:54 Preparing for a Career Discussion with Your Boss

13:48 Supervisors Should Focus on Your Career Goals.

Resources

Join us for the live recording of episode 500. You can register here - leecockerell.com/500

Ask For Your Next Opportunity

If you want to advance in your career there are times that you need the courage to ask for the opportunities you're seeking. Don’t let yourself continue to feel stuck or typecast in your role. The best way to shift toward your next opportunity is by making yourself visible and showing your value to leadership.

Often, employees assume their hard work will automatically be recognized and rewarded. The reality is that it’s not always the case. It is crucial to be proactive about your aspirations. Have an open conversation with your leader about your career goals. Let them know where you envision yourself within the organization and beyond. That will increase the likelihood of creating that next big break for yourself.

In the meantime it is necessary to work on developing a parallel plan. If you've been locked in the same role for a long time, then start to explore and confirm opportunities elsewhere. Seeing other roles will give you reassurance that can provide the courage needed to discuss career progression. It may even prompt a change if progress within the current organization isn't feasible.

Meanwhile, managers need to be more observant and proactive with their team members' career progression. Have regular career discussions and encourage an open-dialogue. That can prevent the loss of valuable team members who feel unnoticed or unappreciated. It's not only about what you can do for your team, but also about recognizing what your team can do for the organization with the right opportunities.

Remember, it's not just about showing up. It's about standing out! Don't wait to be noticed. Take the initiative, demonstrate your value, and ask for the opportunities you want.

Speaking of opportunities, don’t miss the opportunity to be part of 'Creating Disney Magic' history. Sign up to join Lee, Jody, and the rest of the community by heading over to leecockerell.com/500 and registering for the live recording of episode 500!

Make sure you reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. Let them plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Soft Skills for Technical Teams

Creating Disney Magic

07/04/23 • 16 min

"Anybody that feels loved, appreciated, does better work. They have a better life. They are happier."

Recently I received a listener question about how to encourage technical teams, such as engineers, to develop soft skills. Soft skills, like empathy and discipline, are crucial to deal with the challenges presented in any industry. Something to always remember is that success cannot be accomplished without people. One way to support your technical teams is by investing in ongoing training and education, including about soft skills. They are also essential to building a positive workplace. Creating a positive culture and environment that values people leads to better work outcomes and greater employee satisfaction.

In this episode, we discuss:

the role of soft skills in boosting the success of technical teams.
the impact of respectful treatment in professional environments.
incorporating soft skills training for technical professionals.
the benefits of fostering a culture of appreciation and recognition.
the significance of empathy and discipline in personal and professional relationships.

Leaders should always be focused on ways to create a culture of appreciation, recognition, and encouragement. Get everyone on the same page with the importance of soft skills and how it relates to their work. These conversations should always happen when you are hiring, training, and coaching employees. Make sure to share this episode with technical team leaders. It's a great way for them to learn how soft skills training can enhance team performance and create a healthy work environment where employees can thrive.

If the technicalities of travel are too overwhelming then make sure to reach out to Magical Vacation Planners. They do a great job helping plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Episode Highlights

00:01:55 - Importance of Soft Skills 00:06:06 - Technical People and Soft Skills 00:09:31 - Importance of People 00:12:33 - Encouraging Soft Skills 00:14:08 - Managing Projects and People 00:15:25 - Soft Skills in Technical Teams

00:15:45 - Mastering Leadership 00:16:13 - Cockerell Academy

Dealing with Bad Meetings

Creating Disney Magic

06/11/24 • 14 min

“Leaders need to recognize how important it is to have trust and involvement and being inclusive, and especially appreciating people telling you the truth."

Key Moments

03:14 Mishandled meetings lead to a toxic culture.

05:15 Empower employees, listen, learn, and succeed.

07:08 Navigating the choice to improve or accept a bad workplace situation.

09:54 Responding to constructive criticism as a leader.

12:04 Impact of implementing pre-shift meetings

13:45 Recapping the art of effective meetings

Resources