Just a Spoonful of Sugar–Disney Insights on How Leaders Make Work Fun

Mary Poppins would say, “Just a Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine go Down”. Well, I’ve seen that happen as it’s been my.privilege to work with organizations big and small, public, private and non-profit. Many of them come to me because they want their organization to be something more like Disney. They want a place where people enjoy working and even have fun at it. In truth, few organizations work harder than Disney. And at the end of the day, it’s work. But despite the hard times, the difficult circumstances, and the day-to-day challenges, leaders stay positive despite the circumstances. There are Disney inspired lessons that can show us all how to keep a sense of humor, how to create a space for fun, how not to take themselves too seriously, and even how to find joy in accomplishing the impossible. From the boardroom to the Matterhorn; from Canoe Races to Goofy’s Mystery Tour–join us as we learn lessons from Disney leaders past and present about how to create fun–even at work!

This podcast is produced by myself and Performance Journeys, which offers training, development and consultant support to organizations big and small and entrepreneurs new and established. With a wide variety of resources and long-time in-the-trench experience, we offer workshops, online learning, coaching and more to organizations that want to build their teams, raise organizational excellence, improve leadership and create customer loyalty. Check us out at PerformanceJourneys.com.

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Topics in this Podcast:

• An Element of Fun: Leaders Stay Positive in Difficult Circumstances
• How Early Is The Meeting: Leaders Don’t Take Themselves Too Seriously
• Barcode This…Leaders Keep a Sense of Humor About the Bureaucracy
• Empty Magic: Leaders Create a Space for Fun
• Volunteer for Fun: Leaders Orchestrate Opportunities to Have Fun
• Where Tinker Bell Plays Basketball: Leaders Find Informal Ways to Create Fun
• Having Fun Doing the Impossible: Leaders Make the Work Itself Fun

Application

Disney doesn’t corner the market on fun. In fact, consider these quotations from leaders past and present:

“I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.” Thomas Edison

“I think we’re having fun. I think our customers really like our products. And we’re always trying to do better.” Steve Jobs

“A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts. Richard Branson

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” Dale Carnegie

I have a wonderful former client and entrepreneur once sent me a beautiful teacup and stirring spoon. The cup says “A Spoonful of Sugar” and the stirring spoon is a small porcelain replica of Mary’s parrot-style umbrella. It reminds me of the “fun” even joy I’ve had working with clients. And my role is to create magic that is full of fun as well. Actually, I tell my clients “I don’t do fun! I create great experiences and if you happen to have fun, so be it!” I find joy in the work, and I find it fun working with people who are truly trying to create something better in their workplace.

Here’s to having lots of work and lots of fun in your workplace. Know that if you want creativity, innovation and success, find a way to make your journey fun.

Souvenirs for You and Your Organization

As a leader, consider the following:

• Who creates the fun? Does it always come down from management? When is it something that came up from the ranks that they can take ownership of?
• Is everyone a part of the fun? Does it represent a “clique” of the organization, or is it a place for all?
• Where’s management? It’s one thing to have an open door policy. It’s another to be found in “their territory” having fun with your front line on their terms.
• What does “fun” look like in our organization?

Books From Your Host at Disney Insights

Another way you can support the podcast is through our books!

My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available! 

Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. 

Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

Find Excellence in Your Organization!

This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena. 

Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership development and employee engagement.

Contact us today, and let us help.

Thanks for joining us for this podcast, Know that as in the title of Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about performance. Find the second star to the right, and keep going straight on till you reach it. Follow the compass of your heart, and know that with a smile and a song, a little faith, effort and pixie dust, your dreams can come true. After all, if we can dream it, we can do it. Until next time, bright suns, we’ll see you real soon!