Leadership Life Stories

In this series, host J.B. Adams brings you conversations with those who lead through their service to others. With the belief that a leader is anyone who influences change, this show seeks to understand not just what leaders do, but who they are, and how they can be effective in a rapidly changing world. Listen for key insights and advice from genuine servant leaders.

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 2 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Barry Jacobson, former leader in Disney’s premium experiences and events including Disney’s Fairytale Weddings, Golden Oak Homes, and Club 33, and current owner of Barry Jacobson Consulting, where he provides premium design services and helps organizations develop a culture of excellence in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, and customer service.
Our guest describes his definition of success and accomplishments associated with leveraging his network to solve problems, his greatest adversity regarding being ambitious and persevering through disappointments, and shares his best leadership advice.

03:28 -- Greatest accomplishment -- Defining success as the culmination of combined effort; leveraging a network of relationships; problem-solving
17:51 -- Greatest adversity -- Acknowledging that ambition can lead to disappointment, showing perseverance
26:09 -- Best leadership advice, “Be a disruptor.”

Resources
Barry Jacobson Consulting -- https://www.barryjacobsonconsulting.com/
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Barry Jacobson, https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-jacobson/
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 1 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Barry Jacobson, former leader in Disney’s premium experiences and events including Disney’s Fairytale Weddings, Golden Oak Homes, and Club 33, and current owner of Barry Jacobson Consulting, where he provides premium design services and helps organizations develop a culture of excellence in the areas of leadership, employee engagement, and customer service.
Our guest describes his leadership philosophy of taking care of the people who take care of the guests and shares stories about three of his Disney leadership role models; describes his background of showing leadership at an early age; and shares his observations on the Disney leaders he feels were the most effective disruptors.

03:16 -- Leadership philosophy, taking care of people, Disney leadership role models
16:02 -- Self-Awareness Quiz
18:57 -- Growing up in Connecticut; leadership lessons learned from a mother who gets things done
28:05 -- Walt Disney World Insider Free Association
30:29 -- Discussion of Disney leaders as disruptors

Resources
Barry Jacobson Consulting -- https://www.barryjacobsonconsulting.com/
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Barry Jacobson, https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-jacobson/
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 2 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Valerie Cockerell, former leader in retail and merchandising at multiple Disney locations, and current partner at Cockerell Consulting, which provides training, consulting, and coaching to help leaders and organizations build a great culture and deliver outstanding customer service.
Our guest describes her definition of success and the satisfaction that comes from influencing others, the rewards and challenges associated with having family members working within one organization, and her best advice for leaders.

02:48 -- Greatest accomplishment -- defining success, making an impact by being influential
12:12 -- Greatest adversity -- how people treat you when you have other family members in the same organization
23:47 -- Best leadership advice, expressing optimism for the future

Books
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck -- https://tinyurl.com/5khjbw9a
Thank You for Being Late by Thomas Friedman -- https://tinyurl.com/ktabb4n6
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman -- https://tinyurl.com/jd9v3nfv
The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey Sachs -- https://tinyurl.com/jxhdr9km

Resources
Cockerell Consulting Group -- https://cockerellconsulting.com/
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Valerie Cockerell, https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-cockerell-02067956/
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 1 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Valerie Cockerell, former leader in retail and merchandising at multiple Disney locations, and current partner at Cockerell Consulting, which provides training, consulting, and coaching to help leaders and organizations build a great culture and deliver outstanding customer service. Our guest describes her leadership philosophy of building long term relationships, explains how her interest in travel shaped her career path, and shares her thoughts on leadership across both French and American cultures.

02:25 -- Leadership philosophy, building long term relationships, Disney leadership role models
16:03 -- Self-Awareness Quiz
19:39 -- Growing up in Lyon, France; taking risks and making life-changing decisions
29:42 -- Walt Disney World Insider Free Association
32:06 -- Comparison of Disney leadership in French and American cultures

Resources
Cockerell Consulting Group -- https://cockerellconsulting.com/
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Valerie Cockerell, https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-cockerell-02067956/
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 2 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Deloria Nelson, former Disney leader in Human Resources, and current president of Authentic Culture & Engagement Solutions, Inc., where she energizes and engages workforce transformation as a coach and consultant, focusing on culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our guest describes the challenges associated with “the inclusion illusion” and what leaders can do to overcome it, how leaders can make a difference in the lives of the people around them, and building a culture of engagement through inclusion.

02:10 -- Greatest adversity -- the “inclusion illusion;” the difference between diversity and inclusion
17:06 -- Greatest accomplishment -- defining success, living authentically and helping people find their gifts
24:51 -- Best leadership advice; building a culture of engagement

Resources
Authentic Culture & Engagement Solutions, Inc. -- https://acesolutionsgroup.com
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Deloria Nelson https://www.linkedin.com/in/deloria-nelson-54822711
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 1 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Deloria Nelson, former Disney leader in Human Resources, and current president of Authentic Culture & Engagement Solutions, Inc., where she energizes and engages workforce transformation as a coach and consultant, focusing on culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our guest describes her leadership philosophy of “leading with love,'' her experience working in employee relations and compliance, and her thoughts on Disney leadership.

03:04 -- Leadership philosophy, “lead with love,” Disney leadership role model
12:17 -- Self-Awareness Quiz
16:31 -- Growing up as family mediator; discussion of HR investigations and treating people fairly
27:08 -- Walt Disney World Insider Free Association
29:53 -- Comparison of Disney leadership to leadership in other companies

Resources
Authentic Culture & Engagement Solutions, Inc. -- https://acesolutionsgroup.com/
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Deloria Nelson https://www.linkedin.com/in/deloria-nelson-54822711
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

 

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 2 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Patrick Brennan, executive level leader who enjoyed a 32-year career at Walt Disney Imagineering, and contributed to the development of attractions at every Disney theme park location around the world. Our guest describes his leadership philosophy of serving as part of the team, his Disney leadership role model, his early years taking an interest in art and preparing to be a “starving artist,” and his perceptions of how Disney leadership changed over the years.

02:33 -- Greatest accomplishment -- leading field art direction in the construction of Critter Country at Tokyo Disneyland
17:14 -- Greatest adversity -- conflict resolution, balancing creative and business interests
29:18 -- Best leadership advice; lessons from the early days of Pixar

Books
As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch --- https://tinyurl.com/cfsduuc4

The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company, David A. Price --- https://tinyurl.com/5ajsbejm

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, Simon Sinek --- https://tinyurl.com/2a57nnxc

Resources
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Patrick Brennan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-brennan-b978b96/
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 1 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Patrick Brennan, executive level leader who enjoyed a 32-year career at Walt Disney Imagineering, and contributed to the development of attractions at every Disney theme park location around the world. Our guest describes his leadership philosophy of serving as part of the team, his Disney leadership role model, his early years taking an interest in art and preparing to be a “starving artist,” and his perceptions of how Disney leadership changed over the years.

02:29 -- Leadership philosophy, Disney leadership role models
11:05 -- Self-Awareness Quiz
14:02 -- Growing up with an interest in art, early role model, working at the zoo
22:50 -- Walt Disney World Insider Free Association
26:28 -- Disney leadership through the decades, explaining the “why,” trust and respect

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.
Books
Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek --- https://tinyurl.com/49mrfwp3

Resources
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Patrick Brennan https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-brennan-b978b96/
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon

 

Season Two of Leadership Life Stories examines Disney leadership as The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In this episode, Part 2 of a two-part interview, hosts Rebecca Morgan and J.B. Adams welcome Dave Vermeulen, 48-year Cast Member and former executive with leadership experience at every Disney theme park resort location around the world. Our guest describes his greatest accomplishments associated with recognizing talent, taking risks, and making people happy; shares learnings from greatest adversity regarding career challenges; and explains what is meant by “Cast First, Guest Always.”

02:23 -- Greatest accomplishment -- representing the company and its product, recognizing talent, and taking risks
16:27 -- Greatest adversity -- career challenges, showing loyalty in relationships
28:57 -- Best leadership advice; “Cast First, Guest Always,” mentor relationships

Resources
The Awesome Leader League -- https://theawesomeleader.com/

Credits
Guest -- Dave Vermeulen, https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-vermeulen-b56b90a/
Host -- Rebecca Morgan, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmorgan/
Host -- J.B. Adams, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslearning/
Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/
Creator -- J.B. Adams
Executive Producer -- Gerard Mitchell
Audio Design -- Michael Orlowski
Mixing and Editing -- Manni Simon