Lee Cockerell is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort. After joining Disney in 1990 to open the Disneyland Paris project, he went on to hold the position of  Senior Operating Executive at Walt Disney World for ten years. There, Lee led a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping & entertainment village and a sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations which supported the number one vacation destination in the world. Since leaving his role at Walt Disney World, Lee has written a book “Creating Magic – 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney,” and still has an active role at the Disney Institute.

Who or what would you say were the earliest influences on your life?

My grandmother for sure….

How did you find living and working in France during your time as head of operations at Disneyland Paris (EuroDisney)?

Loved it and my wife loved it even more. We even got a French Daughter-in-law out of it and three wonderful grandchildren…..That is real magic

For those unfamiliar with the Disney Institute, can you tell us a little bit about it and the role you have had (and continue to have) as part of its function?

Disney Institute provides leadership and management training and development to individuals and to companies around the world. I am on contract with them to present some of these when a client wants an operating executive to do the engagement.

Do you have any pre-speech rituals or routines that you do prior to giving a seminar?

No….I just get up and do it. I think about my audience a lot the days before my speech so I make each speech relevant to the audience. I try to be there very early to meet people and get a feel for them and their organization.

Which one attribute would you hold as being key to achieving success in leadership?

Being Trusted…..

What would you credit as being your proudest achievement whilst working within the Disney company?

The way all of our Cast performed on 9/11. They did a spectacular job. Cool, Calm and collected.

Did you ever make a decision whilst head of WDW park operations that with hindsight, you wish you could undo?

Yes….I hired the wrong executive once or maybe more than once but one was really a big mistake.

You are one of a very special group of Disney employee’s who have been honoured by Disney with your very own ‘window’ on Main St. How did you react when you were told the news and how did the ‘unveiling’ day go?

I was shocked. I never expected that. I was quite honored. My boss Al Weiss sprung it on me at my retirement party. The unveiling day was really special as my whole family was there and the ceremony was right out on Main Street USA. And then the whole family were the Grand Marshals for the 3 O’Clock parade.

You left your post as head of operations at WDW in 2006, how do you feel the company has faired since you left and do you think the Disney work-ethic has been maintained since your time in charge?

Disney is doing just great. Disney is far bigger than any one leader. The Cast is proud of what they do and do it well no matter how tough times are like now with the economy. The guests are giving WDW high marks and that is the true measure.

We know all about you’re passion for the Walt Disney Company and ensuring it continues to be front runner with regards to leadership and work ethics, but leaving aside the business world for a moment, what other subjects or pastimes do you fill your free time with?

I get up every morning at 5. I have coffee with two friends at 6:30 am. I then work till noon or so. I work out several days a week with weights and cardio, I spend time with my grandchildren and they spend the nights often with us on weekends. Priscilla and I travel a fair amount and spend several weeks in France in the summer. My golf game is giving leadership talks. I take a nap most days and then work again from 5-6 pm. We then watch TV for a while and go to bed pretty early. We have a beach house in Melbourne Beach right on the beach that we enjoy going to on the weekends. The beach is a most relaxing place. I get sleepy the minute I cross the causeway.

And a few general Disney questions…

Given your experience in the catering industry, which Disney restaurant gets the Lee Cockerell ‘seal of approval’; one which you return to time and again?

California Grill because they do a great job but also because that was the first restaurant that we did to start the giant improvements in WDW food and beverage and we had to talk Michael Eisner into giving us 6.5 million dollars to renovate it. It is as good today as it was the day it opened.

Which park, of those you’ve visited, would you say has the superior version of Pirates of the Caribbean?

I have never noticed the difference. You will have to tell me your opinion on that one. Anytime I was on Pirates I had three grandchildren that I was making sure did not fall or jump into the water.

Who is your favourite Spaceship Earth narrator? Cronkite, Irons, Dench?

Cronkite…..I grew up with him and watched him on the news the day President Kennedy was assassinated.

Which Disney character would you most closely associate yourself with?

Tigger….I am pretty high energy and spontaneous.

Many thanks to Lee for giving up some of his spare time to answer our questions.

You can visit Lee’s website at http://www.LeeCockerell.com. His book is available at amazon.com and other good bookshops.