Creating Disney Magic

Latest Episodes:

Taking Risks in Your Career Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

Today, Jody and I discuss what it means to take calculated risks in your career. I started taking risks early in my career and I wouldn't change it.

Taking risks can be intimidating, but they aren't as great as they are in your mind. It is easier to take risks earlier in your career; you have your whole life ahead of you. When you start taking risks, you build confidence. That confidence helps you grow and make wise decisions on the risks you take as you continue your career.

You don't want to regret life. People are so afraid to lose their security, which is understandable. Don't let security and the fear of loss hinder advancing your future. Once you start taking risks, it gets easier.

It is necessary to have a solid support system when you are taking risks. Get input from those in your life. Once you are more established in your life, and your decisions affect other people, it can become difficult to take those risks, and you need to give more consideration to the ones you decide to take.

What do you consider when taking a risk? Ask yourself the following questions:

1) What Can go wrong and what do I have in place if it does?

2) Will this experience and knowledge pay off late?

3) Who will this help me become?

One thing that is not a risk is using Magical Vacation Planners for your next vacation. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Career Magic Book

Understanding a Situation from Every Angle Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

Today, Jody and I are unpacking how you can understand a situation from every angle. It is easy to be emotionally triggered, but as a leader, you must deal with every situation with professionalism and respect.

Our biases can lead us to jump to conclusions, especially if it involves someone we respect or enjoy being around. No matter the parties involved, you need to be a detective and check it out; it affects other people. If you have any doubt, especially about someone, it's best to bring it up so they can clear it up.

You may not be aware you have a bias, but everyone does. Be bold enough to ask questions and figure yours out. Often, people are dealing with problems of which we are unaware. Give others the benefit of the doubt, especially if you aren't sure about the situation. Get everyone together and get to the bottom of the issue.

Someone will always be at fault, often multiple people. As a leader, your job is to find what part lies with you and make it right. Then you investigate the situation with compassion and respect for everyone involved.

Magical Vacation Planners are extremely professional and the definition of professional experts. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Have an excellent career by learning from Lee: Career Magic

Lee's website: https://www.leecockerell.com/

How to Stand Out When You are Understaffed Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

Today, Jody and I are tackling the question of Matthew Miller. Many places are understaffed, so how can employees make the best of a bad situation in their work environment?

Be the light where you work. A strong employee becomes synonymous with a company for customers. You can represent your business. You may have to dig deep during times of stress, but your commitment will show through.

Focus on a great product. Make it a point to acknowledge the customer. For a customer, there is nothing worse than having an issue and people acting like there is nothing wrong. Don't stay silent. Find what you can do specifically to make each encounter as positive as possible. Peer pressure is a strong influence, so when you are positive, it will carry over.

Providing consistent service can cover a multitude of evils. People are more likely to put up with things like delays if they are confident of receiving a quality product and good communication. It doesn't matter if you are short-staffed, you can still take care of your customer.

If you have a question, make sure to reach out at jodymaberry.com.

One company that is great about absorbing inconveniences and unavoidable complications during travel is Magical Vacation Planners. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Have an excellent career by learning from Lee: Career Magic

Lee's website: https://www.leecockerell.com/

Don't Make Your Problem Someone Else's Problem Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

After our most recent Creating Magic Mastermind, Jody and I are recording live from my favorite coffee shop, Coffee for the Soul. One of the conversations to surface during the mastermind was the importance of not making your bad day someone else's bad day.

We have all had bad days. It is human nature to want to pass that bad on, either by talking about it or reacting and our actions causing someone else's day to be bad. Bad days are going to happen. What can we do to make sure it doesn't spread?

Don't talk about what is wrong with people who can't help. You can discuss it in the context of finding a solution, but don't put the burden on others who can't do anything about it.

You can also make sure to be nice. Everyone is upset right now. People are worried; they are not fine. Pay attention and look beyond the quick answer. Do your best to step in and help those around you. When you have a problem, you don't need to pass it on. Negative attitudes are contagious. Do your best to keep bad attitudes from spreading and to make sure a good one is passed much further.

We'd like to connect with you. You can connect with us at either jodymaberry.com or leecockerell.com

Magical Vacation Planners will deal with the problems that arise rather than pass them on to you. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Have an excellent career by learning from Lee: Career Magic

Lee's website: https://www.leecockerell.com/

Be Patient for Your Next Promotion Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

This week Jody and I build on a recent LinkedIn post by Steve Ross. Steve referenced a previous Creating Disney Magic episode where we discussed the three P's of getting a promotion. Steve brought up a great point. There is another P needed for the equation: Patience.

The 3 Ps of Getting a Promotion covered the importance of persistence, passion, and people. As Steve pointed out, patience is also vital in moving forward. Some circumstances require patience. Maybe it isn't the right time, and if you are patient, you may still get the promotion you are looking for.

Patience and persistence go together. If you like where you are and know where you want to go, hang in there. Over time, you will find a path for the promotion you are looking for. You can't just wait around; you need to start doing things to improve yourself, so people have no reason to say no when the time comes. People want things now, but the more experience and exposure you have, the more authority you possess to hold it once you get it.

Everything in life, whether working out, being a parent, or even battling traffic, requires patience and persistence. Persistence asks what it will take and then puts in the work to get it. Patience keeps you anchored and rooted while you work towards your goal.

Outside forces can make traveling require extra patience and perseverance. Magical Vacation Planners can take the stress out of waiting for you. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

3 P's of Getting a Promotion

About Lee Cockerell

Mainstreet Leader Cockerell Academy Ron Logan Tribute Episode

Moment of Truth for Employees Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Last week Jody and I discussed the moment of truth for customers. Did you know there is also a moment of truth for employees? The people you hire have a moment of truth, just like a customer does.

Often employers make promises to get employees in the door. It is especially true now, as it seems there are never enough people to fill every role. When an employee comes in with a promise, and that thing never manifests, they will leave. Your team needs to know what is in it for them and that you will follow through on it.

Training, opportunities, and partnering with team members for their health and wellness are all promises that mean the world to potential employees. If they don't come together, people will walk away. Don't promise something to get people in the door and then fail to deliver. That moment of truth for an employee is in everything we do.

The promises you make must be the template for your company standards. Make promises you can deliver on. Have clear values for your team, and then embody those same values. Your policies and procedures are in place to help you keep your promises, not get you out of them.

If you want to work with someone who will embody the standard they set for service, Magical Vacation Planners is your next call. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Mainstreet Leader Cockerell Academy Ron Logan Tribute Episode

Moment of Truth for Customers Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

Today Jody and I are looking at the moment of truth for customers. What is the moment of truth? It is that moment when your commercial comes in contact with the product. Does what your customer gets align with what you promised?

Marketing and sales teams set high expectations. As the leader, we must ask if our product can live up to the promise. Can we achieve the moment of truth for a customer with what we offer? Whether it is service, quality, or the overall experience and aesthetic, every business has to make good on what the public was sold. Walk through what you presented and make sure we are executing correctly.

Everyone has expectations. Do expectations and reality align in what we are doing? As a manager, it is our job to focus on that moment of truth. Are we meeting expectations? Even as individuals, are we living up to our personal brand and our reputation? Do you practice what you preach? Or are people colliding with expectations and reality and getting hurt in the process?

Marketing gets people in the door, but the operation delivers and makes customers want to return. Repeat business is the best business. It doesn't cost you to keep customers, you just have to deliver on what you have promised.

Magical Vacation Planners is one company that delivers on what is promised. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Mainstreet Leader Cockerell Academy Ron Logan Tribute Episode

Using Outside Resources to Train Your Team Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Today Jody and I unpack how you, as a leader, using outside resources to train your team can add value to the training.

Often we think of training as something we develop or put in place. When it comes to the technical aspects of your organization, that is the foundation you build on. However, you can provide high-quality training and invest in your team by utilizing outside resources. Today, there are many valuable offerings available, many of which are free or low-cost. You can utilize podcasts, books, and articles to help drive points home in your team.

Be creative about how you are infiltrating the brains of your team members. Find ways to help them grow and learn. As the boss, you need to get things stated. Make developing your team a priority. It doesn't cost much, just the intention and follow-through. Leaders make their people better; they don't just manage the bottom line.

As a leader, it is your job to make your team better. The better they get, the less there is for you to do. You can make a difference when teams have clarity and work together.

If you are looking for a good place to start with outside resources, check out our Main Street Leader Newsletter or the Cockerell Academy.

Another great outside resource you can use it Magical Vacation Planners. They can help you plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Mainstreet Leader Cockerell Academy Ron Logan Tribute Episode

Understand Your Managers Expectations Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

Today Jody and I are answering another question we asked during a recent webinar. This one came while we were talking about setting clear expectations when hiring and retaining people. One of the attendees asked , "what if this was not part of the process when you were hired somewhere?" It can cause anxiety when you don't know or understand your managers expectations.

Be brave enough to go ask them. How am I doing? Is there anything about my attitude, performance, or skills that you think I should improve? Ask them directly to give you feedback. Let them know you appreciate their clarity.

Believe it or not, there were a lot of people that would decide not to work at Disney once we got clear with them. They realized they the schedule or responsibilities wouldn't work for them. And that is okay. It saves everybody trouble if you are clear in the beginning.

In Time Management seminars I always talk about how important it is to get clear right at the beginning of a project. Ask right away for a day or time that it should be done. Without it there are too many ways to make mistakes and fall behind. Do not leave room for loopholes.

One way to get clarity on the planning needed for your vacation is to call Magical Vacation Planners. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Careermagicbook.com

Your Attitude Can Save the Day Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

Today Jody and I are talking about an incident that happened to me recently. With all the credit card scams in the world I often wonder if I am next, and I was. There were a lot of things that were very frustrating about the issue, but it was a great reminder that your attitude can save the day.

After going to the bank and taking care of everything we thought needed to be done, my wide Pricilla and I were still running into issues. We ended up having to go back to the bank, spend even more of our time, and getting frustrated because the bank seemed to be totally screwed up.

At the end of the day, the only thing that kept me from getting mad was the attitude of the banker that was helping us. He was really polite. Showed that he really cared. And took care of the problem by being persistent.

Some people I have worked with are very technically competent but they don't care too much. They don't have the personality that gives you the confidence that they can and will take care of this.

People will believe and trust you when you are nice. That may be the key to keeping customers. No matter what you do, even when you don't know what to do, be nice. It goes a long way in an otherwise stressful situation.

Another thing that would be nice is a vacation. Magical Vacation Planners can help. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.

Resources

Have an excellent career by learning from Lee: Career Magic

Lee's website: https://www.leecockerell.com/

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