Creating Magic

10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney

By: Lee Cockerell

Narrated by: Lee Cockerell

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

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 10 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

Compliments the Disney Institute Training

This past summer I was fortunate to attend the Disney Institute for Leadership Excellence workshop and I loved it! This book both compliments the ideas from the workshop while the author is also able to expand in ways that the workshop can't.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in leadership.

Fantastic for leaders and non leaders

Great book for all that is in leadership, or thinking of going in or just being a better role model.

Great book

The information is great it just feels kind
Of repetitive. Overall a great read though

Great business/self improvement book

Would you consider the audio edition of Creating Magic to be better than the print version?

The audio version is narrated by the author Lee Cockerell.

What did you like best about this story?

Even though Lee ran a huge organization he was able to be a progressive leader, and was able to put these ideas into simple principles that I have been able to use many times. He ran the Disney World complex, and it was interesting to hear a little more about the great service Disney provides, but the book is applicable to any business.

Which character – as performed by Lee Cockerell – was your favorite?

Lee is a public speaker and does a fantastic job reading the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You don't have to listen to the book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

The book starts with a short autobiography, which I though was a little slower than the rest of the book, but it helps to understand how Lee got to where he is today.

Great book for all levels of leadership

Easy read with simple to understand principles that can be applied to any business. I would recommend this book to my leaders, peers, and team.

Great Leadership Book!!!!

If you are looking for a book where the author shares insights into the mindset of leadership, this one is for you! Transparent and authentic author!!!!

Absolutely Wonderful Book

Any additional comments?

This book is exactly what corporate America needs. There are great concepts that need to be implemented in every work place. In order for workers to be good workers, they need to respect who they work for. Even if people don't like the job they are doing a positive atmosphere as laid out in this book creates a job they will enjoy being at. Thank you for putting in words what I believe in. The ideas in this book are amazing and well worth putting into practice.

Fantastic!

Great information delivered through inspiring stories. I can't retread it again soon enough. Thanks for sharing your lessons so candidly.

Amazing

Tu is book is awesome and son is the author. Thank you so much for writing and sharing your knowledge with the world

worth listening to

Any additional comments?

Having been at Disney during the hurricane mention in this book I can tell you first hand it is extremely accurate,.

Other parts of the book are very useful. Definitely some things you can take out of this and learn form / implement.