Dan is the former Vice-President of the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida.
He attended Boston University, graduating in 1991, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. After spending 5 years working for Walt Disney in France, Dan relocated to Florida and held a variety of executive roles at the Walt Disney World Resort, both in the theme parks and resort hotels. His last 9 years with the company, he was successively Vice President of Epcot, Vice president of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and eventually Vice President of the Magic Kingdom where he led 12,000 cast members and entertained over 20 million guests annually.
After a fulfilling and exciting 26-year career with the Walt Disney Company, Dan and his wife Valerie made the decision to set out on a new venture and start their own consulting and speaking business. Dan provides customized, authentic presentations, insightful workshops, and one on one coaching, focusing on leadership and management practices drawing upon his extensive Disney career with relevant examples and inspiring storytelling.
In this episode, Jared and Dan talk about Dan's book How's the Culture in Your Kingdom? The speak about the importance of leading yourself first before you can lead others. Self-awareness is not as easy to come by as you may think. We must be intentional to grow and develop our own abilities to move into a space where we can successfully lead others.
"I may not be good at the beginning, and I may fail, but by practicing and trying, it's going to make me better, it's going to make me understand it more." – Dan Cockerell
Time Stamps
1:18 – Welcome to the ‘Strong by Design’ podcast
2:05 – Meet today's special guest, Dan Cockerell
4:10 – Dan on seeing life in Clear Chapters
6:57 – Torrens University Australia: Find out the focus of the school
8:34 – Dan recounts his wife's Disney journey
10:04 – How a simple 'HI' led to 30 years of marriage
12:25 – The Intentionality of being present at home
16:40 – Dan talks about his book 'How's the Culture in Your Kingdom?'
19:14 – Dan dives deep into Physical Fitness: Ways to stay healthy
24:49 – What is the Alphabet Workout?
27:51 – Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset: Ways to keep Mentally fit
32:23 – Moral Fitness: The integrity of being known for who you are
37:00 – What does it take to be a good leader?
41:45 – Motivation-Based Interviewing: The Do's and Don’ts for a job interview
45:17 – Dan recounts the historical and fun moments at Disney
51:14 – Who Disney was 20 years ago vs now?
54:37 – Get the book, 'How's the Culture in Your Kingdom?'
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