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Where is the finish line in the pursuit of excellence?

Disney Toy Story characters
2014 Walt Disney World Cast Member Service awards at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

 

Think of the Disney animated classics from 1937 – 1995. Fifty-eight years worth of unprecedented animation.

Nearly six decades.

Have you ever looked back on your best accomplishments as a leader, professionally and personally?

i mean, spent serious time, without pressure and distraction?

Our best work doesn’t last, unless it’s timeless, and the odds of that happening are rare. Look at what Pixar’s Toy Story did with CGI.

Therefore, our best work has an expiration date.

It’s not fair.

But it is fair.

It’s not fair for everyone, thus the fairness.

At Disney, we are never satisfied.

This is Disney’s least talked about business secret.

Once we improve something, we start the (continuous) process to improve upon the improvement.

The road to excellence has no finish line.

If Disney ran your business, never being satisfied would be something you’d have to get used to.

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Walt Disney World College Program Alumni answers

Disney Customer Service Keynote Speaker
2012, Photo courtesy of University of Iowa

 

My email response in it’s entirety to the Walt Disney World Alumni Association questionnaire/profile request yesterday. It was fun to write and reminisce.

•  •  •  •  •  •

Answers to the questions contained in your previous email. Thanks again…

Name? jeff noel

School? West Chester University

College program dates and role? Spring 1982, Jungle Cruise skipper

Where do you live and what do you do now? Have lived behind Magic Kingdom for 25 years and travel for work

Career success? Recently retired (early at 55) after 30 incredible years at WDW: 15 in Park/Resort Ops and 15 as a speaker at Disney Institute. Honored to receive both Partners In Excellence and the Walt Disney Legacy Award. Have my own speaking and business advising company now.

Fun fact? Have spoken to over one-million people globally through Disney Institute.

Gained during program? The realization that there was no place else in the world that i’d rather work and be a part of. The dedication to excellence and the Guest experience was the most amazing thing i’d ever experienced.

Tip for future Walt Disney World College Program Cast Members? You’ll get out of it what you put into it. Focus on building strong relationships.

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When it rains it pours

Glacier National Park Lake McDonald rainstorm
Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, July 2015.

 

We see what we want to see. Patience is a virtue that we will never believe in if we aren’t willing to have faith in our integrity and expertise.

Three days ago signed a three-day engagement contract with a local client.

Last night another client got the green light from their Board to engage in an external business advisor (possibly me).

Out of the blue yesterday, a third client reached out to continue discussion about engaging my Disney expertise.

Also yesterday, the person recommended to me to help market and support Community Programs across the US and Canada accepted the invitation to collaborate.

Spoke at length, again, two days ago to the Pod Caster running Lee Cockerell’s Creating Magic podcast. Lee made the recommendation to me.

And this morning at 7:00am, we drive our son to his first day of High School freshman year.

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Protect and serve

Remote video home camera
Adding layers of security is a leadership trait. iPhone screen shot.

 

The leader’s job is to protect and serve.

i always say find a million ways to stay motivated to get and remain healthy.

This concept is easily transferable to leadership.

Find a million ways to maintain and protect your organizational culture.

The photo above is a transferable tactic to our personal leadership at home too – find a million ways to maintain and protect.

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