How Disney Trains World-Class Leaders: Lee Cockerell's Blueprint for Career Success

Behind the scenes at Disney, it's leadership that truly runs the show. In this episode, Lee Cockerell shares the surprising leadership secrets that helped him oversee 40,000 cast members as the former VP of Operations for Walt Disney World Resort.

From his time at Hilton, Marriott, and Disney, he breaks down the habits and leadership principles that helped him become one of the industry’s most respected leaders. You’ll learn what it takes to be successful in any role, why routines matter more than you think, and how to become the kind of leader people want to work with.

Topics discussed:

• How Lee built his career with no college degree

• What he learned working at Hilton and Marriott

• Why some leaders fail

• How his leadership style has evolved

• The habits and mindset that made him successful

• The legacy of his book, Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney

Resources:

• Mitlin Financial: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/
• The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung: https://www.amazon.com/JOY-Productivity-Journal-brought-mindset/dp/B0CYQFYW54/
• Download Your Free Copy of the Couple’s JOYful Money Guide: https://mitlin.us/CouplesJOY

Connect with Larry Sprung: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung

Connect with Lee Cockerell:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/LeeCockerell/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leecockerellmagic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Lee-Cockerell-100070689116367/
• Creating Disney Magic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createmagic/
• Personal Website: https://www.leecockerell.com/
• Cockerell Academy Website: https://www.cockerellacademy.com/

About our Guest:

Lee Cockerell retired as the Executive Vice President of Operations for the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, a position he held for ten years. His responsibilities encompassed a diverse mix of operations, which included 20 resort hotels with over 24,000 Guest rooms, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 5 golf courses, a shopping village & nighttime entertainment complex, the ESPN Sports Complex and the ancillary operations support functions.

Lee joined the Disney organization in July 1990 as Director of Food and Beverage and Quality Assurance for the Disneyland Paris hotels. Prior to joining the Walt Disney World Co., he spent seventeen years in various executive positions with the Marriott Corporation and eight years with Hilton Hotels.

Lee is the best-selling author of four books on leadership, management and world class customer service:

Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney is now available in 21 languages.
The Customer Rules: The 39 Essential Rules for Delivering Sensational Service is currently available in 15 languages.
Time Management Magic: How to Get More Done Every Day
Career Magic: How to Stay on Track to Achieve a Stellar Career

Lee and his wife Priscilla reside in Orl