Knowledge is Currency

"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.    

"When you respect time, you build trust and your reputation grows." Notable Moments [03:30] Time is not the new issue; it's always mattered [05:10] How Disney engineers measure time and efficiency [09:20] Coffee shop story and customer decision-making [15:00] Why leaders must observe operations firsthand This episode explores why time is one of the most important factors in leadership, service, and personal credibility. Lee explains how poor systems cost businesses trust, money, and customers, even when no one complains. He shares how organization, discipline, and time-awareness shape reputation and performance. Practical examples show how leaders can uncover bottlenecks, respect people's time, and create better experiences every day. 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 leader's job is to inspect what they expect." Notable Moments [03:39] Seeing management as part auditing, part leadership [05:57] Why clarity prevents most workplace problems [07:48] The real issue behind poor communication [09:22] How clear expectations turn fear into trust [11:32] Inspect what you expect every day Lee Cockerell shares how good managers act like auditors by constantly checking for clarity, accuracy, and accountability. He explains why inspection builds trust when it's done with communication and transparency. Learn how leaders can prevent most problems simply by setting expectations clearly and following up with consistency and care. 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.    

"When you surround yourself with people who think differently, you see your blind spots." Notable Moments [01:38] Becoming an expert and why it matters [04:34] The value of solving problems together [09:09] How to form a mastermind with variety and trust [11:20] The importance of psychological safety and honesty [17:15] Why encouragement and recognition matter Discover how to create your own mastermind and why diversity of experience leads to better problem-solving. Lee Cockerell shares lessons from Disney and beyond about gathering people with different perspectives, creating psychological safety, and leading with honesty and encouragement. Learn why truth-telling, humility, and collaboration can transform both your leadership and your organization. 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.    

"When you invest in people, they remember how you made them better." Notable Moments 03:51  Why Disney invests heavily in the College Program even when most students don't stay. 05:24  How early work experience builds discipline and long-term skills. 07:51  College students earn real-world credits and lessons that last a lifetime. 10:58 How any company can build its own version of the Disney College Program. 12:42 Why a Disney experience, or any great training, opens career doors. 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.    

"You're not born disorganized. You become disorganized because responsibility grows faster than your systems do." Notable Moments [03:44] –Teaching time management helps employees connect with leaders and understand their own responsibilities. [05:34] – Neglecting the things that seem small can lead to big problems. [07:11] – Adopting a system can positively change your life and career trajectory. [11:23] – Handwritten planners versus digital tools and why writing strengthens memory. [15:55] – Schedule the priorities in your life or they won't get done. Lee Cockerell shares why effective time management is less about tools and more about personal accountability. He reflects on lessons from decades of leadership at Disney, the importance of maintenance in every part of life, and how to build habits that prevent chaos before it starts. Read the 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.