#106 From Big Bad Boss to Teacher; Disney Alumni Lee Cockerell

Lee Cockerell (former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World) shares on today's podcast that he thought he needed to lead with just discipline. After an employee's health experience, he realized that EMPATHY needed to be included and that there was a kinder way to lead and manage. Listen to his remarkable rise from an Oklahoma farmer to an Executive Vice President leading 40,000 Cast Members, 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, and 2 water parks with Disney. We discuss very humble beginnings. Not reading a newspaper until the age of 20, lacking confidence, and lacking direction. Hospitality not only provided a career, but a lifestyle and a future. Lee now shares his leadership strategy of focusing on hiring, training, and treating well the RIGHT PEOPLE for business success. So grateful for his advice to me and to all the listeners that will hear his message. More about Lee Cockerell: Lee attended Oklahoma State University for two years before joining in the United States Army.  Lee’s career includes eight years with Hilton Hotels, seventeen years with Marriott International and sixteen years with The Walt Disney Company. Lee Joined Disney in 1990 as Director of Food and Beverage, Quality Assurance and Vice President of the hotel division for Disneyland Paris. In 1993 Lee became the Senior Vice President of the hotel division at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida and in 1997 was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations for all of Walt Disney World Operations, serving in that position for ten years before retiring to start his own business, Lee Cockerell, LLC., a training and development company.  Lee is author of six books on leadership, management and world class customer service.                                www.LeeCockerell.com Lee and his wife Priscilla reside in Orlando, Florida.  Lee enjoys teaching leadership, management and service excellence seminars, traveling, dining out and most of all spending time with his three grandchildren, Jullian, Margot, and Tristan.