I just finished a huge bio on Walt Disney.
His influence on American culture really is remarkable. By the time of his death in 1966, it is estimated that 240 million people had seen a Disney movie, a weekly audience of 100 million watched a Disney television show, 80 million had read a Disney book, 60 million had visited Disneyland, and 50 million listened to a Disney record.
Several anecdotes from the book are a great commentary on his leadership style. And we could probably learn a thing or two.
Disney loved "making history" by "trying new things." And he often did it by making new combinations. He was the first to combine sound and cartoons. It's hard to imagine, but he showed films on a bedsheet in his backyard while trying to make a matching soundtrack. I know we take it for granted now, but sound cartoons were novel then. Part of the genius of Disneyland and Disneyworld is that they were designed like movies scenes and movie sets. He combined his knowledge of film and theme parks to create something for which there was no antecedent. At the end of the day, his creative endeavors were an extension of his personality. Walt Disney never grew up. In fact, he called Disneyland his "sandbox."
One of the things that made Walt unique was his openness to new ideas. Alot of film executives viewed television as the enemy. Walt viewed it as an ally. In fact, he spent one week in 1947 doing nothing but watching television day and night. He totally immersed himself in that medium. And without an alliance with ABC, Disneyland would have been nothing more than a figment of Walt's imagination.
Another driving force at Disney, to use their language, was constant plussing. They were never satisfied. They were never finished. And, of course, they didn't do things halfway. Walt walked every square inch of Disneyland all the time and he noticed everything. He said, "The thing that's going to make Disneyland unique and different is the detail. If we lose the detail, we lose it all."
One of my favorite anecdotes epitomizes his creativity ethic. The night before Disneyland opened he had an idea. He wanted to exhibit the giant rubber squid from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at the park. The problem was that the latex skin of the squid had deteriorated so they had to restore it and repaint it. Walt himself stayed up with some staffers all night before the Grand Opening to make it happen. I love that.
When it comes to leadership, half the battle is an uncompromising commitment to do it big and do it right. Come hell or high water, great leaders don't settle for anything less than their best effort. They are relentless. In many ways, great leadership boils down to this: you do whatever it takes to make the dream become a reality. You settle for nothing else. You settle for nothing less.
His influence on American culture really is remarkable. By the time of his death in 1966, it is estimated that 240 million people had seen a Disney movie, a weekly audience of 100 million watched a Disney television show, 80 million had read a Disney book, 60 million had visited Disneyland, and 50 million listened to a Disney record.
Several anecdotes from the book are a great commentary on his leadership style. And we could probably learn a thing or two.
Disney loved "making history" by "trying new things." And he often did it by making new combinations. He was the first to combine sound and cartoons. It's hard to imagine, but he showed films on a bedsheet in his backyard while trying to make a matching soundtrack. I know we take it for granted now, but sound cartoons were novel then. Part of the genius of Disneyland and Disneyworld is that they were designed like movies scenes and movie sets. He combined his knowledge of film and theme parks to create something for which there was no antecedent. At the end of the day, his creative endeavors were an extension of his personality. Walt Disney never grew up. In fact, he called Disneyland his "sandbox."
One of the things that made Walt unique was his openness to new ideas. Alot of film executives viewed television as the enemy. Walt viewed it as an ally. In fact, he spent one week in 1947 doing nothing but watching television day and night. He totally immersed himself in that medium. And without an alliance with ABC, Disneyland would have been nothing more than a figment of Walt's imagination.
Another driving force at Disney, to use their language, was constant plussing. They were never satisfied. They were never finished. And, of course, they didn't do things halfway. Walt walked every square inch of Disneyland all the time and he noticed everything. He said, "The thing that's going to make Disneyland unique and different is the detail. If we lose the detail, we lose it all."
One of my favorite anecdotes epitomizes his creativity ethic. The night before Disneyland opened he had an idea. He wanted to exhibit the giant rubber squid from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at the park. The problem was that the latex skin of the squid had deteriorated so they had to restore it and repaint it. Walt himself stayed up with some staffers all night before the Grand Opening to make it happen. I love that.
When it comes to leadership, half the battle is an uncompromising commitment to do it big and do it right. Come hell or high water, great leaders don't settle for anything less than their best effort. They are relentless. In many ways, great leadership boils down to this: you do whatever it takes to make the dream become a reality. You settle for nothing else. You settle for nothing less.
11 Comments:
Right on. Encouraging and challenging. Glad you read. Glad your write.
Steve Nethery
You're making me want to buy this book. I really dig these bio-type of books! :)
Would you please share the title of the book. I am always on the look out for good biographies of leaders that make a difference. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing -- I've been a Walt fan for years. His determination to succeed and his stick-to-itiveness are inspirational.
That book was insane...it took me FOREVER to read it. Howard Hendricks recommended it to me. He said it was one of the best bios he has ever read.
great thoughts. want the book title as well as would love to read it.
The title is Walt Disney: Triumph of Imagination, but I think there might be better bios honestly. This one is thick!!!
Mark
I have been at Disney (Orlando...all 4 parks) the past 8 days and I cannot stop thinking about the leadership structure there. They have a great assimilation process...not like a 6 Flags where you want to come a leave, spend a hundred bucks or so and go home...they get you to spend a few thousand and get you to stay for days. They workers are great, I always felt cared for by them and every...EVERY...worker knew everything about the park. If I needed a restroom, specific ride, tip of a great location for the parades, etc...any employee knew the answers...they even asked questions like "who is you favorite character?" and where we told they they would say, "he stops in front of the (name of store) in the 3rd part of act four in this parade." It blew my mind...
I read a bio on Disney two years ago and am truly amazed at his influence. Not only do I love Disney, but I now have an appreciation of how truly amazing he was and how much of him is still in those parks!
loved this posting...
Imagine this--by Walt Disney's death in 1966 100 million people were watching his TV show--in a nation of how many people?!? On Sunday nights you were watching Disney or at church--not much else.
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