"Your employees and your customers know everything you need to know. But will they'll tell you?"

Episode Chapters

[00:01:03] Make Time for Better Conversations

[00:01:51] Solving Disney's French Fry Problem

[00:02:38] Bringing Frontline Employees Into the Room

[00:04:10] You Said, We Did

[00:05:15] Creating Trust to Speak Up

[00:08:16] Ask the People Doing the Work

[00:11:52] Making Employees Part of the Solution

[00:13:35] Giving People a Safe Way to Speak Up

What could you learn about your organization if you put the people doing the work in a room and simply listened?

In this episode, hear Lee Cockerell's closing remarks at a Creating Magic Mastermind. Lee recalls how Disney brought frontline employees together for four-hour conversations without their managers in the room. Their observations uncovered problems leadership didn't know existed, from slow stoplights to operational inefficiencies. More importantly, Disney followed up through a process called "You Said, We Did," showing employees that speaking up actually led to action.

The people closest to the work often know what needs to change. It's up to leaders to create enough trust for them to say 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.

"You'll never know what your team knows unless you ask them."

Episode Chapters

[01:06] What It Means to Do Your Homework

[02:50] Relying on Your Team's Expertise

[05:04] Asking Why Before Making a Decision

[07:38] Hiring and Developing the Right Experts

[09:16] Having the Confidence to Say "I Don't Know"

Leaders are expected to make decisions, but that doesn't mean they should make them alone. Lee Cockerell, retired Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World, has a conversation on what it means for a leader to do their homework before deciding what comes next. Lee shares how he relied on experts throughout his career, including the team around him at Walt Disney World, to understand areas where they knew more than he did. The conversation covers asking better questions, seeking different perspectives, knowing which decisions require extra care, and having the confidence to admit when you don't know the answer.

Good leadership isn't about proving you know everything. It's about using the people and resources around you to make the best decision possible.

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.

"When you give people straightforward feedback, you're preparing them for the future."

Episode Chapters

[00:00:43] What Leaders Are Asking Lee

[00:04:00] Why Being Candid Saves Time

[00:06:36] The Cost of Avoiding Difficult Conversations

[00:07:33] What Truth With Empathy Looks Like

[00:10:37] Building a Culture of Candor at Work

Difficult conversations are rarely comfortable, but avoiding them can create even more problems. Lee Cockerell, retired Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World, discusses why being candid and getting to the point can save time, reduce confusion, and help people improve.

Lee explains why straightforward feedback should be delivered with empathy rather than anger or intimidation. He shares how this approach applies to parenting and the workplace, where employees need clear expectations and the confidence to speak openly.

Leaders can make honesty and respectful communication part of their team's everyday culture. When people know where they stand and trust that feedback is intended to help them succeed, difficult conversations become opportunities for growth rather than problems to avoid.

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.