I’m currently in Orlando, Florida. The purpose of the trip is to attend a conference and it happens to be at the Disneyworld Resort complex. One thing that is evident from the first phone call to the hotel reservations and on through the experience is that it is an ‘experience’ every step of the way. The Disney culture is not just in the Park, every team member or cast member as they refer to themselves is part of the culture from the second they don the Disney uniform, whether it’s on the phone, in person or just in passing in the hallways,
The experience of culture is palpable in every aspect of this legendary company and it comes from a tenacious adherence to the vision that Walt Disney had for this enterprise.
It is reported that when Walt Disney was developing his huge concept of Disney World he took his head company people to the swamps of Orlando and went face to face with each person, looking them in the eye and getting them to promise not to let Walt’s dream get messed up. The richness of this Disney culture has lasted way beyond the life of its creator and through numerous custodianships of CEOs and cast members.
If there is one thing that drives great families, teams, businesses and practices it’s the joyful sense of purpose and direction. The oneness that comes from a clearly stated set of values which resonates with all involved creates a psychic buy-in or ownership from the top down.
This attitude of expansive yet inclusiveness causes people to embrace their role in the journey – it is the key necessity for keeping the show in the right direction
The key theme of this Quadrant 1 part is the state of curiosity which is encouraged in thriving cultures. They give others the time to question, observe, listen, and learn. No question is too stupid. Brilliance can emerge from the weirdest question. Asking Why and Why Not questions are the seat of reinvention.
Managing your culture requires an elevated sense of release and yet adherence to the vision and principles that your business has been founded on.
Start with applying the following tactics that strengthen your culture of ever increasing and absolute standards.
- Constantly remind yourselves of the purpose for which you exist.
- Give the team credit for discovering problems & creating associated questions.
- Train the team in productive question creating skills.
- Hold regular team meetings which are solution driven
- Surround yourself with people who are superbly inquisitive.
There’s no Mickey Mouse stuff here – just good business process that creates a legacy.
