Creating Disney Magic

Latest Episodes:

Invest in Training for Employees Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

Not only does training benefit the employees of a company, but it benefits the company itself, too. As we've talked about in previous episodes, when you spend time and money on someone, it shows them that they matter and that you care about them. They understand just how valued they are.

Training also builds trust. Your people will say good things about you behind your back when you invest in them. It creates a powerful environment between the two of you, which is contagious. Other employees will pick up on that culture and want to be trained themselves.

When employees are properly trained, they take better care of your customers. They do their jobs much better. Training is an investment, but it has a huge payoff later.

Employees who are confident and care about the company will earn your money back. They'll grow and be worth more. When you need to fill a position, one of your trained employees can be promoted and you won't have to spend the time and money to go out and recruit someone new.

Finally, training gets all of your employees on the same page. You can know they've all received the same message and training. The company is greatly benefitted by this.

We're already talking with many companies about instituting the Cockerell Academy as the training program in their companies. This is one way to make sure every employee is trained in the same way. To learn more about the program, head to CockerellAcademy.com.

You Can't Separate Work and Home Life Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

In a past episode of Creating Disney Magic, I said it was a mistake to try to live two separate lives; one at home and one at work.

Since we have never discussed it in a full episode, a listener wrote in asking us to talk more about it. So in this episode, we get right into it.

The truth is, you don't get to live two lives. You have to get everything done in the one life you are given.

The way to do this is through time-management. This isn't a skill that's only applicable to work. You need to implement good time management at home, too. List out everything you need to do in a planner, then go through and prioritize it. If the two most important things you have to get done today are personal, that's okay. If you need to finish up a work project after supper, that's okay, too.

Management is all about control. All the stuff you have to do isn't business or personal--it's just life. Your personal issues affect your work and vise-versa. So, keep all aspects of your life under control.

Additionally, it's a mistake to keep your personal life from your staff. If you act like a robot and never share, people won't be as open or trusting with you. It's all about making connections. You never know who you will help by sharing something you're going through or who will be able to help you.

To learn more about time management and to keep up with the best work we're doing right now, check out the Cockerell Academy at www.cockerellacademy.com.

Tell the Right Story During a Job Search Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Many people are struggling with the job search right now, so on this episode of Creating Disney Magic we and a listener question. She asked, "How do I reenter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for 17 years?"

In this episode, I explain how to sell yourself through your resume, even if you don't have directly relevant experience for the position for which you're applying.

It's all about the story you tell with your resume. Take what you've done and tell a story with it. Be authentic and truthful, because the employer wants to hear who you are more they want to hear what you've done. That's what people are looking for long-term.

So, write about who you are. Write about any experiences you've had that have developed leadership, organization, or management traits within you. Write about the things you've dealt with as a mom or in whatever situation you've previously found yourself in.

Most importantly, show them that you're a good gamble. If you tell them that you're willing to take on an entry-level role and prove that you deserve a full-time position, you will create a win-win situation. They have nothing to lose by hiring you. You're coming in to get experience and an opportunity, so be willing to take any position that gets your foot in the door.

Another thing that impresses employers is the preparation you've done and the training you've received. For example, going through Cockerell Academy helps you think about the things you need to know and prepares you for elements of an interview you may not have known to think about. You can find it at www.cockerellacademy.com.

Invest in Employee Development Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

Show your employees that you care and in return, you'll get commitment.

When I was at Disney, we gave housekeepers an hour to attend English lessons. We hired local professors to teach these classes. As a result, the turnover rate for housekeepers dropped down to almost zero.

When you're investing in people, you're showing them you care. Leadership is about taking care of people. It's all about showing people they matter. One way to do that is by helping them with their education or training them in some other way.

Many people in entry-level jobs underestimate what they can achieve in life. A leader's job is to build up these employees' self-confidence and help them know they achieve great things.

When you help people get knowledgeable, you change their life. This, in turn, changes their children's and their grandchildren's lives. It also enhances the environment of the company and attracts even more great people to it.

You may not immediately see it if you're only looking at the numbers, but showing employees they matter will benefit you. So, even if just for an hour a month, start investing in them now.

If you want to become a stronger leader, join us at www.cockerellacademy.com.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

When we don't have much experience in the field we're working in, or get a big promotion, we can have what some people call Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is when you feel like you aren't deserving or good enough for the opportunity, even if your track record might suggest otherwise. These feelings can be especially prevalent we don't have much experience in the field in

This week's episode features a question from a listener who is struggling with imposter syndrome. On the episode, we talk about how to overcome imposter syndrome when we're leading a team with far more experience than us.

When I first started working at Disney, I didn't know anything about the theme park. In fact, I had never even been to Disney World! I wasn't there to run the parks, though. It was my job to be a leader and let the experts around me run the parks.

The first thing you should do is get everything out of the way upfront. Have a team meeting and have the person who hired you to explain why they chose you for the job. Tell your team that you're excited to learn from them. Think up every question they may have and address all of them.

If you have the right attitude, have support from the boss, and get every concern squared away immediately, you'll learn the job. Don't come in and assert your authority. Be cooperative. Be willing to admit when you don't know something and ask your team questions.

If there are still employees who aren't going along with the decision, talk with them one-on-one. Ask them what else you can do to make them happy. Just deal with it and put the flame out as best and as quickly as you can.

Above all, remember that someone in leadership believes you can do the job. They saw something in you. Go in every day seeking to prove the doubters wrong.

If you want to become a strong leader and not worry about imposter syndrome, join us in the Cockerell Academy.

Innovation Through Structure Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Innovation doesn't get in the way of structure. Innovation helps create structure.

Your organization needs to have policies, procedures, and standards within your organization in order to protect your employees and prevent disaster. Once we figure out the best way to do something, we must do it that way and make sure everyone in the organization knows we do it that way.

Structure won't lead to micromanagement if you've hired the right people. If you can rely on your team, they will follow the policies and procedures you've put in place.

Anything can get better. If leadership wants to improve something and has the drive to do so, it can be improved.

Structure won't lead to less innovation. Instead, when you get the right policies and procedures in place, they will create more freedom. They take away the questions and in that way create more innovation.

On this episode, we talk about why structure is so important in organizations and how to make sure it doesn't impede innovation.

To learn more about adding structure and innovation to your team, check out CockerellAcademy.com.

Create a Reputation Worth Talking About Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Creating Disney Magic, I answer two listener questions. Both about looking for or starting new jobs.

Here are some tips;

Applying for jobs online is tough. It is better to know someone. Be recommendable and have someone who can recommend you.

Use a resume as a way for people to find out who you are, not just what you have done.

My career didn't take off until my mid-forties. By the time I had an opportunity with Disney, I was ready. Don't be afraid to start over or make a big shift in your 30s or 40s.

One thing valuable to employers is experience, which you have after you have worked for a while.

Your greatest assets are your attitude, and what other people are saying about you.

Be flexible, volunteer for assignments, work the tough shifts, keep learning, have a great attitude, and stick out like a sore thumb. Get a reputation where people notice you and are talking about you.

To get more career advice and training you won't find anywhere else, join us in the Cockerell Academy.

Training Should Be Continuous Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Creating Disney Magic, I want to talk about the importance of continuous training for leaders and employees.

When should you redo formal training?

The training interval will vary depending on what field you're in. For example, if you are in the medical field, you would need to stay current on pathogens, policy, and procedures for illness and infections. Where if you are in the food industry, then staying current on food handling, proper cleaning procedures, and food safety would be paramount. It would also be necessary to redo training after a leave of absence since policies and procedures can often change rapidly.

Why should you train continuously?

If not trained and retrained, people will shortcut and not apply the formal training the way it was intended, the consequences of this could be deadly. Great leaders continuously train themselves and then coach their staff so they can all be the best example of safety, customer service, and leadership possible.

When we continuously coach the team, not only does it keeps the training information fresh at the front of our minds, it also allows coaching on specific situations that need to be addressed. Using a daily coaching strategy can implement changes as needed rather than waiting for something to happen before we handle a situation.

If your company or business is not paying for training, coaching, or continuing education, it is your responsibility to invest in yourself to become the best leader you can be.

Are you interested in continuing your education and growing your leadership skills?

Visit https://www.cockerellacademy.com for more information.

Should You Get Credit for All Your Ideas? Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Creating Disney Magic, we have an anonymous listener question that strikes a chord with a lot of people including myself.

"What do you do when someone takes credit for your ideas?"

It is really tough when someone takes an idea you shared, possibly in confidence with them, and presents it as their own idea. What this really indicates is that the person, claiming it as their own idea, is insecure in some way. Insecurity could come from a number of reasons like fear of being passed over for promotion, trying to impress the boss, feeling out of place or it could be because they don't care who they step on in order to move up.

Depending on the underlying reason the way you handle it will vary. This may be as simple as talking to them in private and letting them know that as a team we share ideas without claiming credit by the individual person. It could also be something they are not aware they are even doing and when brought to their attention they will stop doing it immediately. There are also times it will require intervention by upper management so that claiming credit by the individual doesn't dissolve the camaraderie of the team.

Having hard conversations isn't easy and though they may be uncomfortable, they are necessary to create a strong team.

Always look for ways to improve your leadership skills. You can start by checking out https://www.cockerellacademy.com. It is never too late to get better.

Introducing the Cockerell Academy Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

I am excited to announce the launch of The Cockerell Academy.

The Cockerell Academy is the best thing I have ever created. It is full of courses on leadership, management, customer service, and culture.

When you enroll, you will get instant access to six courses:

Time Management Magic

Morning Magic Planning

Career Magic 30

Career Success for Students

Perfect Day for Your Customers

World Class Customer Service (based on my book, The Customer Rules)

All of my courses will be inside the Cockerell Academy and you will have access to every one of them.

Plus, you will have access to the Phronesis Vault. Every month, I will add new content to the Vault, including articles, podcasts, videos, and exclusive interviews with some of my favorite people in business. Over time, the Vault will grow to become the most valuable part of the Cockerell Academy.

And this is just the start. Over the next few months, I will add more courses. Already, we are working on three new courses: Better Decisions, Diversity and Inclusion, and Real Leadership (based on my book, Creating Magic).

With the Cockerell Academy, you will have access to all of this for a yearly subscription. As an early adopter, you will lock in the pandemic price of only $249 per year for as long as you stay with the Academy. I am keeping the price low right now while we all work through the pandemic.

Even better, you will lock in that annual price for as long as you remain a member of the Cockerell Academy.

Click Here to find out more about the Cockerell Academy.

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