The Yes Blog

MGW #11: Lee Cockerell – Build Self Awareness

GUEST: Lee Cockerell – Executive Vice President, Disney World

 

Lee’s website – www.leecockerell.com

Time Management Magic Course – www.timemagiccourse.com

 

Lee Cockerell has had a long and storied career in Hospitality, starting as a banquet waiter for Hilton, later helping put Marriott on the map, and eventually retiring after 10 years as Executive Vice President of Disney World.

 

Now, Lee’s professional life is dedicated to sharing the wisdom he’s gathered over the years. Lee, you’re conducting workshops, delivering keynotes, doing a podcast of your own with our mutual friend, Jody Maberry, and consulting with leaders who care enough to become great.

 

So I’m really glad to have Lee Cockerell on our show, dedicated to helping you create Mighty Good Work.

 

Here are a few notes from our conversation.

 

When you’re the boss, your behavior can have a profound effect on the people who work for you.

 

Intimidation behaviors stem from low self-confidence. If you’re finding people intimidated by you? check your own confidence level.

 

Consider your authority and status when interacting with people.

 

Ask yourself, “Who am I?” Do people trust you?

 

Success boosts your confidence level.

 

“The world needs less big, bad bosses, and we need more teachers? Role-modeling is a gigantic responsibility.” Don’t underestimate the power of it.

 

Management is defined as the act of controlling. Keeping important aspects of business on track requires a great deal of organization.

 

With better organization, most people could get 50% more done.

 

Train, test the effectiveness of your training, and respect the responsibility of being a role-model.

 

Management is what to do. Leadership is how to be. How to be there for people. How to be a person of honesty and integrity. To be a person who can have the hard conversations. We can be more respectful, and more respectable.

 

What can I do, and how can I improve my behavior?

 

Have people in your life who will tell you the truth about how you’re doing and who you’re being.

 

We do not see ourselves the way other people see us.

Take a good look at the things you believe. Don’t believe everything your parents told you. Don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t believe everything your culture has led you to believe.

 

Treat people as individuals. Not as a group.

 

People only change in two ways: Education or crisis. Make it easy for your boss to tell you the hard truths — so you can learn by education rather than through crisis.

 

The people who are close to you can give you great feedback about even your professional life. Listen. Give them credence.

 

Life is all connected. Physical health, family health, emotional health? These all affect your performance throughout your life including at work. You can’t have one personality at home, and a different one at work.

 

Take stock on a regular basis. Strive consistently.

 

Change is tough. It takes time. There are setbacks.

 

People will tell you the truth if you’re consistent about setting the environment where people are not afraid of you one bit.

 

Plan your day for effectiveness, not by default.

 

Look to the future. Start putting things on your calendar, and have it before you need it. Do it now so the things that come up later have space, and your life doesn’t get out of control.

 

Your personality must not conflict with your responsibilities. Effectiveness has requirements.

 

Be careful what you say and do. People are making meaning from everything they observe of you.

 

Culture starts at the top, and it affects attitudes.

 

Don’t stay in a job that’s changing you for the worse. Move on.

 

Three things that make the difference: 1) Hire the right people. 2) Train people. Test the training. Enforce the training. Train them so well their confidence skyrockets. 3) Create a culture where people know they’re valued, and they want to come to work.

 

You can’t find the time. You must make time.

 

Books by Lee:

http://www.leecockerell.com/books.cfm

The Customer Rules

Creating Magic

Career Magic

Time Management Magic

 

Lee’s website – www.leecockerell.com

Time Management Magic Course – www.timemagiccourse.com
Check out this episode!

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