Do you like to read books to help you with your professional growth? I do. I finally got a chance to start reading The Disney Way by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson. You don’t have to be a Disney fan to enjoy the book. There are lots of great models and tips throughout that can be used by leaders, businesses, or institutions. The overall message stems from the foundation of Walt Disney’s way towards success and that is to Dream, Believe, Dare, and Do. I wanted to share a few of my initial takeaways as I see how these ideals and management styles can be incorporated into education.
Climate and Culture
Man, I could talk about this topic forever and a day. Would you say that you understand the vision of not just your school district but your school’s? I often find that when there is a challenge in climate and/or culture in an education environment, it is because there is not a clear vision; furthermore, even if a vision has been established, short-term goals and initiatives have not been planned to support the vision. Roy Disney is quoted in the book for saying, “When values are clear, decisions are easy” (Capodagli and Jackson 42). This is exactly why I write this blog and created professional development for educators by an educator.
Man, I could talk about this topic forever and a day. Would you say that you understand the vision of not just your school district but your school’s? I often find that when there is a challenge in climate and/or culture in an education environment, it is because there is not a clear vision; furthermore, even if a vision has been established, short-term goals and initiatives have not been planned to support the vision. Roy Disney is quoted in the book for saying, “When values are clear, decisions are easy” (Capodagli and Jackson 42). This is exactly why I write this blog and developed professional development for educators by an educator.
Capodagli and Jackson tell us that we need to engage people in the process, and by doing so, the benefits will follow (42):
- An established process for executing strategy
- Increased departmental cooperation
- A process by which to understand key problem areas
- Quicker, more accurate feedback
Do you recognize any of these benefits played out at your school or district? If not, it might be an opportunity for you to find a place to get involved to help create or support a vision at your workplace.
Professional Growth
At the end of the day, you are your best advocate and can make your dreams come true. If I look back at my career, I cringe at the moments that I put too much credit into someone else being the one to help me reach my dreams or goals. We can have amazing leaders who lift us up and dare us to dream to our best selves, but we are the ones that must set the course and meet our goals.
On my podcast, Teacher Pep Rally, we had a conversation with an assistant principal, Andrew Canle, who believes in positive motivation and mindset. During his episode, he said, and I am paraphrasing here, that we should be our only competition. For me, a light bulb went off because it gave me a clear perspective of the power of self-motivation or sabotage.
Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson state the message very early that it was not always easy for Walt Disney, as some might think. It is easy for us, in the future, to see how successful his company has become; however, we must be reminded that “Walt knew that dreams lie dormant unless the dreamer can do what it takes to make them come true” (7). We are the ones that have to believe and then roll up our sleeves to get to work and make our dream a reality.
Notice that I keep using references to days; this is because your time is valuable. You only get so many days on this earth so why not be happy with the space or use of your time. The Disney Way did not just resonate with me because I have a love and appreciation for Disney. I appreciate the guidance and samples to tapping into my own goals using the motto or timeline of Dream, Believe, Dare, and Do. Tell me what you dream about and how you will begin to believe in yourself and dare to make that dream or goal happen.
See You Real Soon,
Erin