Disney Brand Loyalty Keynote Speaker
Five daily blogs about life's 5 big choices on five different sites.
Meg Crofton retired yesterday, June 1, 2015.
Looking forward to sitting down with her and catching up.
Can you imagine the pressure and time commitment required to be the President of Walt Disney Attractions?
Can’t wait to see what she has planned in retirement.
Next Blog
Leadership priorities. Probably the single most important “to do” on a great leader’s list. Right?
At the top for me is a compelling vision. Then acting with integrity. And thirdly, building trust.
But these aren’t the priorities I’m talking about.
I’m referring to personal, moral priorities.
A few months ago, I had the privilege to hear a Fortune 100 President give a speech. To my surprise he listed his as:
Didn’t see that one coming. Career was third. As a Fortune 100 President. Wow.
Live authentically, serve humbly, live to make other’s dreams come true.
Trust. Distrust.
Like. Dislike.
Do you trust your leader? Do you like your leader?
Take President Barack Obama, or any President for that matter. Usually, at best, a President receives between 50-60% of the popular vote. More or less half. Stay with me here.
What this means is the other half don’t like and don’t trust the President, relatively speaking.
And it’s the same in large organizations and small businesses. Seriously, it is.
Why do we try so hard to be liked, when in reality, the best we can ever hope for is about half.
Take Simon Cowell, from American Idol (yes, many of you hate Simon and the show), while many people do not like him, everyone trusts that he will tell the truth.
And the reason we know Simon will always tell the truth, is because he always does. Sounds simple, but Simon is consistent to a fault. He’s honest even if it’s “bad news”.
And yet, he’s crystal clear about his mission – select the very best singer. Period. Determine the “Gold Medal” winner. Select the next American Idol.
Most don’t like him. Most absolutely trust him.
If trust is the most important leadership characteristic, who gives a flip about being liked?
Here’s a link to read the story from June’s Florida Leadership Conference.
The Walt Disney World Resort, President, Meg Crofton, spoke there and part of her standing-ovation speech is captured in this insightful article.
Here’s an excerpt:
Meg closed her remarks with a further challenge that elicited a standing ovation from the audience, “I have always believed that, before you can lead others, first you have to lead yourself…when great leadership, great brand and great culture intersect…dreams really do come true.”
Lead yourself. Now there’s a common sense concept that could use a little more common practice, eh?
Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂
July 4, 2009. Happy Independence Day!
Started the day running the Watermelon 5k in Winter Park. Then spent the rest of the day with family and friends . Now it’s 9:00PM and I’m going to postpone today’s post until tomorrow.
Today, by the way, President Barack Obama’s audio-animatronic figure was unveiled at The Walt Disney World Resort, at the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents.
Carpe PM, jungle jeff:)