Creating a Magical Culture in Your Business

Dec 31, 2024 | Podcast

“Many leaders want to be great but often misunderstand the difference between management and leadership.”

Have you ever wondered what makes a business culture magical? I had the pleasure of diving into this with the legendary Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World. From the get-go, Lee highlights the importance of individual attention in the workplace. We often think that treating everyone the same is fair, but Lee eloquently argued that recognizing individual needs and desires makes people feel valued. It’s not just about being an employee; it’s about feeling like you belong.

Lee shared some eye-opening anecdotes from his Disney days, where individuality thrived alongside strict standards. It shouldn’t be a surprise that creating a culture of respect and personal attention can turn an ordinary workplace into a Disney-esque culture. A key lesson from our conversation was about management style. Imagine raising children; you wouldn’t treat them all the same—you’d cater to their unique needs. The same goes for employees. Personalized management leads to happier, more productive teams.

We also touched on the balance between work and life. Lee’s principles from “Creating Magic” aren’t confined to the office. They resonate at home—nurturing relationships, showing genuine care, and ultimately shaping futures. Daily practices matter too. Simple acts like asking your team how they are can foster an environment of support and openness. It’s these small gestures that build trust and loyalty.

Leadership’s simplicity can still have a profound impact. Treating people well isn’t rocket science, but it requires intention and genuine care. As Lee put it, leadership is about guiding people to better outcomes through effective teaching and support. When you are done with this episode, connect with Lee through his website, courses, books, podcast and more. His content and message continues to create magic in workplaces everywhere.