LEARN THE SECRETS OF WALT DISNEY'S SUCCESS Acclaimed Disney expert Jim Korkis tells the stories of what Walt did right, what he did wrong, and how you can follow in his footsteps. Drawing upon his unparalleled knowledge of the Disney Company and its legacy, Korkis distills the essence of Walt Disney's leadership principles into an exciting narrative of popular history and self-help.
You'll read not just about what Walt did but why he did it, and how you can apply the lessons to your own life or your own enterprise.
Secrets of Leadership Who's the Leader of the Club will teach you how to lead like Walt. You don't have to be producing animated films or running theme parks to benefit from the innovative but common-sense approaches Walt Disney took to every challenge. In just a few hours, you'll learn what it took Walt a lifetime to perfect, and you'll learn how to put it to work for you.
Just as important, Korkis will teach you how not to lead like Walt. No leader is perfect, and Walt had traits that cost him, such as his berating employees in public, never praising an employee for good work, and trying to get the best out of people by pitting them against one another. Despite these flaws, Walt inspired great personal loyalty and devotion. Korkis explains why.
Telling Stories Do you know your story? Walt Disney's success was built on stories and not just fairy tales about princesses and dwarfs, but knowing how to communicate so vividly and so compellingly that others want your story to come true, and will help you make it come true. But first you have to know your story, and then you have to learn how to tell it.
Walt never lost sight of the many stories he told in his lifetime. In Who's the Leader of the Club? , Jim Korkis tells the stories of Walt's lifetime, Packed with lessons, anecdotes, and quotes, Who's the Leader of the Club? comes with all you need to master the Disney way, start telling your story, and become the leader of your club!
As I have dove deep into Disney books over the last several years it has become clear that many readers and writers would like to distill what made Walt Disney an effective learner. Typically these books come from the viewpoint of writers starting from an educational or business foundation. But Jim Korkis has added to the debate using his vast knowledge of Disney history to distill principles found in Walt Disney's historical success.
In Who's the Leader of the Club: Walt Disney's Leadership Lessons historian Jim Korkis presents seven lessons of leadership based on Walt Disney's life. He starts with brief discussions of who Walt Disney was and what type of leadership he displayed. He also provides a summary of the differences between a leader and a manager contrasting Walt and Roy O. Disney. Korkis then includes his seven lessons that include an emphasis on story, a concern with those you lead and most of all integrity. Following the seven lessons, Korkis discusses aspects of Walt Disney's bad leadership, letting people go, developing other leaders and additional principles that can be seen in Disney's life. Along with the main text, Korkis has sprinkled into his chapters quotes from Walt Disney, summarys of the principles being examined, and stories that underscore the principle being taught.
Again, I have several Between Books that are Disney business lessons. But this book really struck a chord with me quickly. It was Korkis' emphasis of story in the principles that caught my attention as a Disney fan. But this story is not Immagineering's well crafted fantasy. No, this story is the story that one creates as a leader and how one leads their life. Korkis makes it clear that Walt was not the easiest of leaders to work for, but his people remain loyal to him decades after his death. Much of this has to do with the simple fact that Disney believed what he said and acted with integrity. He lived a good story. And for us to be good leaders we must behave in a way consistent with the messages that we distribute to craft our own good narrative.
I really appreciate the fact that Korkis did not present Disney as an infallible leader. The chapter on Walt Disney's mistakes is honest, frank and reminds us all that even great leaders have blind spots. For example, Walt spared his praise to his staff. Yes, he had reasons why he believed he should not easily handout verbal praise. But as Korkis points out that could lead to resentment. Korkis does not paint a picture of man who embodied all successful leadership standards. Instead Korkis show a man who we can mirror in some areas, improve on others and perhaps acknowledge in yet others that we ourselves have problems.
I myself am a people leader, one who uses Walt Disney's example too much in my daily work life. My team is very familiar with the yes if principle (Korkis, 88). But sadly for my team Who's the Leader of the Club? has only reinforced my use of story language in my work life, as I will continue to remind those who work with me we have a great story to tell. And having a great story really worked out well for Walt Disney!
Disney was a uniquely gifted man with little education to get in his way! His philosophy of "give them a little more" made the difference because Disneyland has yet to be beat in the theme park genre. Jim Korkis always delivers as a writer, and this book is no exception.