Be Candid on What You Believe

"If people don't know where you stand, they'll make it up themselves." Notable Moments [00:02:49] Why open Q&A builds credibility fast [00:04:00] Answering uncomfortable questions publicly [00:05:05] Why truth builds trust faster than strategy [00:06:00] Being clear about values and expectations [00:08:03] Why authenticity matters more than preparation [00:09:35] How candid communication shapes reputation [00:10:33] Why people trust leaders who tell the truth [00:11:09] Speaking up carries less risk than people think Being candid about what you believe is one of the fastest ways to build trust. Lee Cockerell shares why it is important that leaders answer hard questions, stating values clearly, and telling the truth, especially when it's uncomfortable. Strong leaders know that credibility and psychological safety create stronger leadership cultures. Read the blog for more from this episode. Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"Experience only matters if you can tell someone what you got out of it." Notable Moments [00:02:51] Why frequent job changes raise questions—but aren't always negative [00:03:10] The value of staying long enough to learn, grow, and be noticed [00:05:31] Why people leave bosses, not companies [00:06:33] Evaluating opportunity, culture, and enjoyment at work [00:09:21] When a job sounds good until you're actually doing it [00:12:37] Reliability and work ethic as long-term differentiators [00:14:39] Why explaining what you've learned matters more than the path itself [00:16:05] Knowledge vs. ignorance and the long-term value of learning Career paths vary, but one thing matters every time: being able to explain what you've learned. Lee Cockerell shares why experience, reflection, and reliability often outweigh titles or timelines. The conversation explores staying long enough to grow, knowing when to move on, and how learning compounds over time when you can clearly articulate it. Read my blog for more from this episode.  Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"If you can connect action to something emotional, people will stick with it." Notable Moments [02:24] Why people don't follow good advice [03:36] The role leaders play after the event ends [05:11] Doing hard things for the people you love [06:24] Why progress feels good after the work [12:32] The power of repetition and encouragement People don't fail because they don't know what to do. They fail because change is hard. This conversation explores why follow-through matters more than information and how encouragement, emotional connection, and repetition help people take action. Read Lee's blog for more from this episode.  Resources Creating Magic Mastermind October 2025 CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"Progress doesn't require perfection. It requires starting and staying with it." Notable Moments [00:27] Why every morning is a new beginning [02:40] Why most resolutions fail [04:10] The power of starting before you feel ready [06:10] How progress builds confidence [11:33] Why saying no is a leadership skill Most people already know what they need to do to improve their life. They just don't start. In this episode, Lee Cockerell explains why progress begins with action, not motivation. He shares practical advice on starting small, building routines, and staying focused on what matters most. A reminder that real change happens one decision at a time. Read the blog for more from this episode.  Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"People like to go where they're happy to be seen." Notable Moments [01:19] Why people want to go where they feel welcome [04:29] Making your people the brand [06:49] Reliability as a leadership advantage [10:28] Reducing turnover by focusing on how people feel [15:49] The responsibility that comes with caring deeply Great leaders don't try to serve everyone. They find their people and take care of them. In this episode, Lee Cockerell and returning guest Liz Wilcox, an entrepreneur and email marketing educator known for building a people-first business. They explore how knowing your audience, simplifying your work, and showing up consistently builds trust and long-term success. Read my blog for more from this episode.  Connect with Liz Wilcox Lizwilcox.com/ Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"Knowledge is the key that opens all the doors ahead of you." Notable Moments [03:55] Why making people feel important changes everything [06:42] The emotional root of most leadership problems [09:20] How exposure reshapes perspective and confidence [12:29] Reputation and the danger of untold stories [15:06] Why intentionality separates leaders from managers Knowledge is more than information. It's influence, credibility, and trust. In this episode, Lee Cockerell, retired Executive VP of Walt Disney World, explores how learning shapes leadership in high-pressure environments, why everyone needs to feel valued, and how reputation is built through intentional actions.  Knowledge doesn't just make you smarter. It makes you steadier, braver, and more useful to the people around you. And that's the kind of currency that never loses value. Read my blog for more from this episode.  Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"There's no upside for not being nice." Notable Moments [02:32] What "being nice" actually means in leadership and daily interactions [03:20] Why raising your voice causes you to lose respect [04:12] How organization and stress management affect how you treat people [07:12] Handling tough conversations while still being respectful [09:47] The influence leaders have, even when they don't realize it Being nice is often misunderstood in leadership. In this conversation, Lee explains why kindness is not weakness, how respect builds long-term influence, and why managing your emotions matters more than managing other people. He shares practical examples from daily life, leadership roles, and personal experiences to show how being nice strengthens relationships, protects your reputation, and improves your own well-being. Notable Moments Read my blog for more from this episode.  Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"Every decision comes down to one question: is it worth it?" Notable Moments [00:01:19] Examples of shifting customer value [00:04:11] Industries where customers feel "stuck" with rising prices [00:05:11] What Lee learned by switching grocery chains [00:07:17] The three-legged stool of pricing decisions: customer, employees, bottom line [00:10:26] The importance of awareness and knowing what things really cost [00:17:18] Inflation, habits, and the slow creep of change In this conversation, Lee Cockerell shares practical stories about rising prices, customer expectations, and how businesses can make thoughtful adjustments without creating resentment. He explains why experience matters more than price, how awareness leads to better financial decisions, and how small changes - good or bad - accumulate over time.  Read the blog for more from this episode.  Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"Anytime you can do more than everybody else, you'll stand out." Notable Moments [01:20] Persistence pays off [03:34] Creative ways people get noticed [04:45] Why showing up still matters today [07:23] Networking as a strategy, not luck [13:59] How persistence shapes careers over time This episode explores the power of persistence and how small, consistent actions can open opportunities others miss. Lee Cockerell shares stories of people who refused to give up and ultimately built successful careers. The conversation also touches on practical strategies for standing out, networking with intention, preparing for interviews, and using creativity to earn visibility in competitive environments. Take a listen and walk away with simple, timeless advice for getting noticed and moving forward in careers. Read my blog for more from this episode.  Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.    

"Training is useless if it's not enforced." Notable Moments [05:32] Anticipating problems is the foundation of training. [07:31] Enforcement matters just as much as teaching the standard. [08:58] Customer expectations reveal what training should cover. [13:31] Frontline experience exposes blind spots leaders miss. [15:29] Standards create consistency across every location. Great service comes from anticipation, clarity, and consistent training. Lee Cockerell shares practical lessons on how organizations can prepare for the problems they know are coming, learn from customers and employees, and build standards that ensure consistent service at every location. He explains why training must be enforced and how frontline workers reveal what excellence really looks like. Anticipating challenges is the key to creating a safe, reliable, and enjoyable customer experience. Read my blog for more from this episode.  Resources CockerellStore.com The Cockerell Academy About Lee Cockerell Mainstreet Leader Jody Maberry Travel Guidance Magical Vacation Planners are my preferred travel advisors. Reach out to have them help plan your next vacation. You can reach them at 407-442-2694.