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published: Friday, February 05, 2010
Disney exec speaks in Clermont
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
CLERMONT--Judging by the smiles and positive comments coming from attendees after the South Lake Chamber's third installment of its quarterly lunch speaker series, Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton inspired.
"It's good to know she (Crofton) doesn't just talk the talk, but she walks the walk," said Florida State Representative Alan Hayes. "What she spoke about is the way Disney conducts their business and it's so applicable in every single walk of life."
Crofton's Friday morning message -- titled Leadership: "A Skill Set for Challenging Times" -- took attendees from her beginnings at the company in 1977 and learning how Walt Disney himself operated to her application of those principles throughout her career.
"Disney's culture is punctuated by what we call Walt stories. He's still inspiring us today," Crofton said.
Crofton's first Walt story took people to the night of March 13, 1928 at Union Station in New York City, after he'd lost everything from a business contract, his staff and a character by the name of "Oswald, the lucky rabbit."
Instead of being down and discouraged, Crofton told how Walt sent a telegram to his business partner and brother Roy, that said: "Leaving tonite, stopping over KC, will arrive home Sunday morning seven thirty. Don't worry, everything ok. Will give details when arrive, Walt."
The result? That during his three day journey back to Hollywood, Walt took out a sketchbook and dreamed up "Mortimer, the mouse." (now known as Mickey, as suggested by his wife.)
The lesson on how he got there? Staying positive.
"The Disney we know today, all the way to its brand and its culture, takes us back to what should have been a very lonely ride home (for Walt)," Crofton said.
Crofton said facing the crush of adversity head on with optimism and leadership instead of defeat is what makes great leaders.
"It's about optimism and optimistic leadership, and we, our community and the people of our region need that today," Crofton said.
According to Crofton, that story and many others like it, has helped her to answer the
"How should I lead in challenging times," question she often hears. She said it has also helped her devise what she refers to as 'the six principles, or epidemics, of leadership.'
"I found that the skills they (people) turn to in great times are the same ones they should turn to in challenging times, except for magnified, amplified and up in lights," Crofton said.
Crofton touched on things like staying positive at all times, remaining visible in good and bad times, the importance of transparency to avoid rumors, staying active and open, developing others and personal balance.
Crofton ended with a reminder that when challenging times come around, people should consider sending themselves a telegram that reads, "Don't worry, everything OK. Will give details when I arrive."
"I think it was an inspirational message," Lake County Commissioner Jimmy Connor said. "It was about leadership and staying positive in difficult times and working through adversity. That's just part of American business."
First United Church's pastor Doug Kokx said he felt Crofton's thoughts were not only inspirational, but "applicable to present economic challenges."
"It was a wonderful gathering of community leaders," Kokx said.
