During her almost two-decades-long career with the Walt Disney Company, Dalia Ganz shared many leadership insights that she had gained.
As a newly graduated college student, Dalia Ganz began working for the Walt Disney Company in 2005. Before her departure this summer, she was vice president of social media, digital marketing, and synergy. After 17 years with Disney, Ganz reflects on the excellent mentoring she received from strong and supportive mentors during her time there. A post she made on LinkedIn listing her top 10 tips went viral almost immediately.
Here are Ganz’s five leadership lessons from her years at Disney.
1. Professionalism Is Key
As a leader, you must be aware of the image you are projecting. Your team will take their cues from you, so you should be mindful of how you present yourself. Ganz reflected on her career and remembered how she learned how she handled situations, especially the difficult ones, and set the tone for how her team would take the same problem if it happened to them. She stressed the importance of being a role model for your team. They are constantly absorbing your reactions and leadership.
So, as a leader, it is essential always to maintain a professional demeanor and be aware of the example you are setting for your team.
2. Make Sure You Are Consistent
Being consistent in your words and actions is another essential leadership quality. Your team needs to be able to trust that you will do what you say you are going to do.
Ganz said that this shows up in everything you do. Are you taking a vacation? That’s going to set the tone for the rest of your team. When are you sending emails? How do you interact with other teams? It’s not just one situation. It’s how you behave in all situations. So, if you want to be a leader your team can trust, it is crucial to be consistent in your words and actions.
3. Embrace Everyone’s Superpower And Nurture It
As a leader, it is crucial to embrace unique skills and strengths. By doing this, you can create a more well-rounded and successful team.
Ganz emphasized the importance of leaders helping their teams maximize their superpowers. She believes that developing individuals’ strengths and values are the most important thing a leader can do for their team. For Ganz, a culture of open dialogue and constructive criticism is key to spotting such qualities. Reviewing performance just once a year is insufficient; weekly check-ins should be used to identify strengths and problems throughout the year.
4. Be In Control Of Your Decisions
As a leader, it is vital to control your decisions. It doesn’t mean you must make all the decisions yourself, but you need to be confident in your choices. When you’re in a place of leadership, you’re always weighing options, and it’s not always easy to know which one to choose, particularly when everyone’s watching you. Nonetheless, Ganz knows a secret that makes every business choice simple and robust. You should first be sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. After that, it’s all about the plan and the data.
She claims that meetings are hectic because there is no plan or data to support sound decision-making. From her own experience, Ganz underlined that whenever she attends a meeting, she comes prepared with a solid strategy and solid data so that her decisions are based on facts and a plan.
5. Don’t Believe You Have To Quit Your Job To Advance
Ganz remembers that when she first started working at Disney, many people told her that she would have to move on to do real career growth.
After 17 years, Ganz is glad she didn’t take their advice since she could grow professionally, make the most of her talents, and establish significant connections inside the company while working in various fields. It might be tempting in today’s employment market to shop and change jobs after a certain time. Ganz, on the other hand, Ganz believes that if you’re happy, you shouldn’t feel compelled to leave to achieve your goals.
The Bottom Line
Experiences and advice from people in leadership positions can be invaluable for those looking to develop their leadership skills. By taking the time to learn from the successes and failures of others, you can set yourself up for success in your leadership journey. We hope these five leadership lessons from Leslie Ganz will help you on your way.
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Bio:
Dave Adams is a business manager who currently resides in Dallas, Texas. With over two decades of experience in sales and management, Dave has developed a particular expertise in building and leading high-performing sales teams.
Throughout his career, Dave has held various leadership roles in the sales industry, including sales manager, regional director, and vice president of sales. In each of these roles, he has demonstrated a strong ability to identify and recruit top sales talent, develop effective sales strategies, and motivate his team to achieve and exceed their goals.
In addition to his expertise in sales management, Dave is also known for his exceptional communication skills and ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. He is a natural problem solver and is always looking for ways to improve processes and drive growth for his organization.
Outside of work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing golf and basketball in his free time. Dave is also actively involved in his community and volunteers with several local charities and organizations.
Overall, Dave is a highly respected and accomplished business manager who has made a significant impact in the sales industry. His commitment to excellence and dedication to his team’s success make him a valuable asset to any organization.
