Tag: Social Media

Disney Truly Makes Me A Better Person

Disney Truly Makes Me A Better Person.  Why?  How?

Because I understand completely how Disney operationalizes it’s culture.

“Culture is what people think and do, without thinking”.   — jeff noel

One of the easiest ways is to use traditions.  Our Country does.  All great Countries do.  So if it works for Countries and for Companies, why couldn’t it work for individuals?

Here’s a You Tube video describing the power of a simple “family tradition”:

Our son will always remember our Twistee Treat tradition. Always? Guarantee it. How?

Because of the repetition.  Why do we celebrate holidays year after year?  It gets ingrained into our being.  It’s who we are.

When that happens, people do things without even thinking. It was Monday, in Lahti, Finland.  I was there representing Team USA at the Masters Track & Field World Championships.

Even with all the distractions, I knew it was Monday and that meant Twistee Treat day.  Maybe this is so simple it’s flying right over your head.

Until I understood this phenomenon, I could not break through to greater success. Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Overcoming Addiction

Overcoming Addiction.

Disney has taught me to analyze my leadership values.  And more than that, to analyze my leadership behaviors.

Funny thing is, my values and my behaviors were contradictory.

The other funny thing, I was clueless.  Seriously clueless.  The origin of the phrase blind spot comes from the fact that everyone can see it but one person – they have a blind spot.

Plus, everyone else is chicken to say anything, because confrontation is uncomfortable, and many times, ugly.

Who wants that?  Who needs that?  Not me.  Not you.  No one is lining up for that kind of stress.

So I confronted myself.  It was not ugly, but is was uncomfortable.  And then it was impossible.  I had suspected it for years, but only casually, because the truth would mean I had dramatic life-altering changes to make.

I’ll tell you more tomorrow, or maybe later this week.  We’ll see.  For now though, carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

My Biggest Blind Spot

Biggest blind spot?  You really want to know?  It’s embarrassing actually.

What makes it embarrassing is the fact that I was so clueless about it. Seriously clueless.

To teach is to learn twice, and as I worked hard to apply what I was teaching (1999-ish), an epiphany appeared.

By the way, it’s likely that I hold some sort of State or National record for epiphanies.

It has been a life changing event for me.  Life changing!

Tomorrow, I’ll share it.  Sometime soon, why not give some consideration to a huge change you need to make, but are clueless you need to make it.

Oh, I get it, this is uncomfortable, and I’m full of garbage, right?

Anyone remember the Disney movie, Miracle?  The athletes literally hated their coach.  Yet their coach had them do something that no one had done in twenty years.

Click here to get a taste of how a jerk helped an team of non-superstars do the impossible.

PS.  If you didn’t click on the hyperlink Miracle, you owe it to yourself to do it now. Unless you’re a chicken$h!t.  Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

The Power Of Our Example

In 2000, I began teaching world-class Leadership Excellence to others, and a key life lesson was revealed to me in the form of an epiphany.

While I judge myself on my intentions, everyone else judges me on my behaviors.

What a wake up call this proved to be.  (and the hidden message in this post is it’s the exact same for you)

To make a long story short, our son’s name is Chapin.  His name was partially inspired by the Harry Chapin song, “Cat’s in the Cradle“, from 1974.

He’s going to turn out just like me.  This is why it’s critically important I am obsessed with being a good and decent person.

It’s the same in business too. We’ve all seen leaders, who are too busy to notice key things – just like the father in the song – and therefore lack the awareness to set a better example.

I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about though.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

PS.  I’m not claiming to be a perfect leader by any stretch of the imagination.  Do claim to be proactively searching and addressing my blind spots.

Walt Disney Loved Pictures & Travel

Walt Disney Loved Pictures & Travel.  Who doesn’t?  Here are a few photos from this month’s travels to Finland & Chicago.

The Masters Track & Field World Championships in Lahti, Finland and the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building in Chicago: (note, you may click on photos to enlarge to read)


Thought representing the USA at World’s and stepping out on The Ledge, were impossible.

Disney has helped me realize the only limitations I have are those I impose upon myself.  In passing this on to our son, I am reminded, “To teach is to learn twice”.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂