Over the years, I have devoted much time to reading everything I can on the operations of The Walt Disney Company. I have always been a fan of Disney as long as I can remember. I especially enjoy reading about the inner-workings of the company and pick up any book I can about it. These books have ranged on all different aspects over the years, and while I enjoy books on the imagineering processes the most, I have always love to read about first hand experiences from former associates of the organization.
If you’re looking for insight on how things run in The Walt Disney Company, may I reccommend a great book from former Disney executive Lee Cockerell. “Creating Magic” takes the reader on the journey of this man’s tenure of positions both before and during his work at The Walt Disney World Resort. Mr. Cockerell will educate you on 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies that can help you in your position or company no matter the size. His experience at the Walt Disney Resort takes you through a no-nonsense look at how his tenure as Operations Vice President helped develop many strategies and operational processes over his ten years with the company that are still in place today.
I enjoyed the book and all it offers. However I did notice that while Mr. Cockerell spoke of open door policies, and the ability for anyone to approach him, it appears that he hasn’t always been the warm and fuzzy person that he sometimes portrays himself as. There are two instances in the book where he pushed people to a breaking point that involved him getting punched out. Now in all my years of management, I have never have had that happen once, much alone twice! There is also a point where he describes letting go a high level executive simply because his position was eliminated. While he allowed the executive time to find a new position and the outcome wound up positive, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of these exchanges didn’t go as smooth and it made me realize that while The Walt Disney Company is all about fantasy, it’s a business, first and foremost. Mr. Cockerell is definitely more on the business side than on the Pixie Dust side.
So if you’re looking for a different side of the mouse, that is more of a behind the business scenes than fantasy, then I would highly recommend picking up a copy of this book today!
Keep Moving Forward!
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Yeah I love Disney also. More so the parks. I used to work at Disneyland. First on the (long gone) sub ride, and then Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain. It’s amazing the history, trivia, and secrets that go on there. Working there actually helped me appreciate it more. I assume you have read both Mouse Tales books by David Keonig. Another good one, but may be boring for some, is Mouse Trap: Memoir of a Disneyland Cast Member
by Kevin Yee
Mouse Tales was a great book! Thanks for the comments!