Dear Chapin…

post it hand written note from father to son
Most important to remember, “i love you.” Second most important is this post-it note.

Every month Martín’s parents took a trip to see Grandma and came home on the same train the next day. 

One day the child said to his parents:

′′I’m already grown up. 

Can I go to my grandma’s alone?”

After a brief discussion, his parents accepted.

They stood with him as he waited for the train to exit.

They said goodbye to their son and gave him some tips through the window. 

Martin repeated to them:

′′I know. I’ve been told this more than a thousand times.”

As the train was about to leave, his father murmured in his ear:

′′Son if you feel bad or insecure, this is for you!”

And he put something in his pocket.

Now Martin was alone, 

sitting on the train as he had wanted,

without his parents for the first time.

He was admiring the landscape out the window. 

Around him some unknowns pushed themselves in. 

They made a lot of noise.

They got in and out of the train car. 

The conductor made some comments about him being alone.

One person looked at him with eyes of sadness.

Martin was feeling more uneasy with 

every minute that passed. 

And now he was scared.

He felt cornered and alone. 

He put his head down, and

with tears in his eyes,

He remembered his dad had 

Put something in his pocket.

Trembling, he searched for what his father had given him.

Upon finding the piece of paper he read it:

′′Son, I’m in the last train car!”.

That’s how life is,

We must let our kids go

We must let them try new things. 

But we always like to be

In the last car, watching,

in case they are afraid 

or in case they find obstacles and don’t know what to do.

We want to be close to them.

as long as we are still alive. 

(Adapted from Unknown author)

(note, this isn’t adapted by me…entire piece copied and pasted)

Insight: Everything i have taught you, written, and written some more for you, recorded for you, done with you, equates to me sitting in the last train car.

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This website is about our WORK. To ponder today’s post about our HOME, click here.

Letter to the Chief

Vision is the first of my 19 business cultural blueprints.

Thanks for sharing. Hope your head is pain free.

How intentional do you think it is that Vision is the first of my 19 organizational vibrancy architectural blueprints? (Yes, it’s a trick question) 😜

Simon does a great job reframing what many miss as key because the concept of vision is too familiar and too simple.

(A vision of the future that’s not only better than now, but much better.)

As simple a concept as vision is, remember how you struggled with vision in the early days?

Your greatest opportunity is breathing life into your organization’s.

Why communicating this in a clear, concise, and compelling manner doesn’t come naturally to you is still a mystery.

Do you remember those 15 minutes with your Executive Team that morning at the retreat? That was the most powerful/inspiring message you ever gave them.

You are so capable.

When you slow down long enough, you’ll see in yourself what i see in you.

Greatness.

PS. To be clear, Glacier would have revealed this.

PSS. When you are ready to see cultural transformation version 2.0 as an investment instead of an expense, organizational vibrancy will become your (Organization’s) greatest asset. Can you see it?

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This website is about our WORK. To ponder today’s post about our HQ, click here.

If you want to stay on this site and read more posts from this Blog, click here.

Disney DNA from a 43-year Cast Member

Disney Cruise Line countdown app
Last night, December 5, 2017.

 

Date: December 5, 2017 at 5:39:18 PM EST
Subject: Take your shoes and socks off and stand barefoot in the dirt….

Years ago I worked at the Polynesian Resort with General Manager Hideo Amemiya. I had just joined that team as a Front Office Manager. I asked a friend about him as a boss and he said, “He is good. But you will REALLY like him when he rants.” Shortly after I arrived Hideo held an all-salaried meeting and he got up in front of us with some fairly routine announcements. “Make sure your Cast are punching (clocking) in on time… CPs (College Program students) are arriving soon… (the Cast) Cafeteria will be closing for a few weeks…“. After a short pause Hideo abruptly shifted gears. “And when you walk around the resort I want you to be a warrior! Never walk the same path twice… I want you to LEAD like you have eyes in the back of your head!” (My friend looked at me and said… THIS IS IT!) Hideo went on… “When you walk rooms I want you to go where the Guest goes… on hands and knees where their kids crawl on the floor… I want you to SNIFF the phone because that phone gets up in our Guests’ faces! AND then when you go home at night… I want you to take off your shoes and socks… stand barefoot in the dirt… and let all of the energy from the day drain out of you…”

 

Passion oozed out of Hideo and learning from him and so many of you, I have always believed that passion is what separates our company from any other. Today I wanted to let you know that after a wonderful run of 43 years here with you, I will be retiring from our company on Dec. 21. I am extremely proud of all of those times… beginning with a Custodial Host role in Fantasyland, working at 15 of our Resorts including 3 Resort openings, Operations Development, Labor Strategy Team, our Lodging Line of Business and today at Epcot. With all of those experiences, in every case, the importance was in how we made our Guests and Cast feel and the memories that come from that…

 

… And, of course, the people. All of you. It took me two days just to come up with a list of your names, and I know I have missed so many. I would love it if you would feel free to forward this to anyone you know that should have it.

 

I want all of you to know that my passion and pride in what Disney means will continue forever, and as I am handing off the ball to the rest of you, I am counting on you to carry the torch. Families all around the world are counting on you, too.

 

I am fortunate that I will be having a retirement party on Monday, Dec. 11 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Disney’s (name-removed) Resort, invitation to follow.  I know how busy everyone is, but I would relish the opportunity to offer you a beverage, shake your hand and share a funny story. No long speeches. Just a celebration for all of us.

 

And after we have a sip and a laugh… you should go home… take your shoes and socks off and stand barefoot in the dirt…

 

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This website is about our WORK. To ponder today’s post about our HQ, click here.

If you want to stay on this site and read more posts from this Blog, click here.