Walt Disney & Roy Disney

Walt Disney and Roy Disney.  What a combination.  One of the key things that made them a great team was their differences.

Walt, in my opinion, was the modern-day father of creativity.   Roy, well, perhaps a financial genius. And both were very hard workers.

I think I met their reincarnations last night, on Sanibel Island.

I’ll call them Vince and Dirk.

Two men, both entrepreneurs, formed a small business partnership, and shared with me their incredible vision for their future.

What I love about Vince and Dirk is they represent, to me, seasoned business professionals who are capitalizing on these turbulent times, using technology and creativity, to position themselves for growth.

One watches every penny.  One uses enthusiasm to spawn creativity.  Both hustle and work incredibly hard.

I got excited just listening to their story.

If you told your story to a complete stranger, do you think that stranger would get excited about what you’ve done and what you are about to do?

I sure hope so.  Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Is Your Culture, By Default?

Whether you answer this personally or professionally, the answer should be the same.   And if you’re like I was before I became a professional speaker ten years ago, you aren’t sure what I’m talking about.  Right?

Generally speaking, things happen two ways, by design or by default.

In two hours, I’ll be running my first 5k run in several years.   I started running a decade ago.  After a few years, I needed a “carrot” to keep me motivated.  I ran my first 5k, ever.

In two hours, I’m running the very same 5k.  This is by design.  It’s an historic tradition that has incredible meaning in my life.  I could have picked any 5k to kick off my “comeback”, but I didn’t, by design.

Will you, or your organization, do things with purpose today, or will you drift aimlessly?  Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Because Walt said so, that’s why!

Ever heard that phrase, the one that an angry, frustrated adult might say to a young child, “Because I said so?”

Most of us have heard it.  Most of us have also said it.  “Because I said so!”

I know when I hear an adult saying this to a child, there is absolutely no mistaking who’s in charge, is there?

It’s crystal clear, isn’t it?

Why?  Not really sure.  It just is.  Period.  End of story.

Same with the Walt Disney Company.

Why do they focus on, and some might even say obsess over, the small details that most people will never notice?

Because Walt said so!

That’s good enough for me.  I’ve heard enough stories about what their founder valued that it’s crystal clear to me what I should do everyday.

How is it with you and your people, in your organization?

Most people haven’t got time, or motivation, to think about simple questions like this.

And people wonder why it’s so challenging to get people motivated to do a great (not good) job.

I’m certain, today, that being a great organization starts with me.

What are you certain about?

Please consider making it a GREAT day, because if you don’t, who will?  Carpe diem, jungle jeff  🙂