Creating Magic

10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney

By: Lee Cockerell

Narrated by: Lee Cockerell

“It’s not the magic that makes it work; it’s the way we work that makes it magic.”

The secret for creating “magic” in our careers, our organizations, and our lives is simple: outstanding leadership—the kind that inspires employees, delights customers, and achieves extraordinary business results.

No one knows more about this kind of leadership than Lee Cockerell, the man who ran Walt Disney World® Resort operations for over a decade. And in Creating Magic, he shares the leadership principles that not only guided his own journey from a poor farm boy in Oklahoma to the head of operations for a multibillion dollar enterprise, but that also soon came to form the cultural bedrock of the world’s number one vacation destination.

But as Lee demonstrates, great leadership isn’t about mastering impossibly complex management theories. We can all become outstanding leaders by following the ten practical, common sense strategies outlined in this remarkable book. As straightforward as they are profound, these leadership lessons include:
Everyone is important.
Make your people your brand.
Burn the free fuel: appreciation, recognition, and encouragement.
Give people a purpose, not just a job.

Combining surprising business wisdom with insightful and entertaining stories from Lee’s four decades on the front lines of some of the world’s best-run companies, Creating Magic shows all of us – from small business owners to managers at every level – how to become better leaders by infusing quality, character, courage, enthusiasm, and integrity into our workplace and into our lives.©2008 Lee Cockerell; (P)2008 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In Creating Magic, Lee Cockerell delivers his ideas about leadership in a common sense way that can really reach people and help them improve their effectiveness at work, at home, and in their communities. His valuable leadership strategies and remarkable Disney stories will ring true for everyone who reads this book.”
—Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and The One Minute Entrepreneur

“Lee's common sense principles and down to earth storytelling are refreshing. His book will help leaders and managers at all levels become better in all parts of their lives.”
—Lee Huebner, Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs, Georgetown University

“Disney is one of the world’s prime exemplars of service, having pioneered and implemented much of what is today seen as best practice in service management. Lee Cockerell has played a major role in this . . . For those wishing to learn how Disney has achieved its reputation for service, this will be a book to read.”
—Chris Voss, Professor of Operations and Technology Management, London Business School

One of the best books on leadership available

Lee talks about his rise in the industry and how he was mentored and shaped into a strong leader we can all learn from. Great book!

amazing

finished on vacation and now I cant wait to get back to work! I recommend to anyone looking to sharpen their leadership skills

Amazing!

One of the best leadership books I've ever listened to. The audiobook quality was great. Lee Cockerell is very inspiring and his stories are a great addition to the content. I had to get the hard copy as well.

Loved it!

I am going to listen again in case I missed anything and I plan to go to the Disney Institute as soon as possible.

Feel the experience!

The book is simply amazing! Lee teaches you leadership through his journey, and it made the book truly realistic and easy to apply to your own journey.