[229] Disney Brings 'Best Practices' In Leadership To MTSU

Dec. 9, 2009
Editorial Content: Drew Dunlop, 615-898-2919


DISNEY BRINGS ‘BEST PRACTICES’ IN LEADERSHIP TO MTSU

MURFREESBORO—A representative of the Disney Institute, Cyndi Michalos-Baker, visited campus Dec. 2 and spoke to nearly 250 MTSU employees about Disney’s approach to leadership excellence. The event was sponsored by the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, which also was the Gold Sponsor for an all-day conference the day before in Nashville that welcomed leaders in education, business and industry.
The governing philosophy which guides Disney’s approach to leadership is not surprising, considering Disney’s legacy—every leader tells a story by illustrating it through his or her actions.
“This seminar is such a wonderful investment of time,” said Amanda Witt, manager of Construction/Renovation Services at MTSU, who attended last year’s conference. “It truly builds your confidence and your wanting to ‘make the magic’ in all forms of business.”
Joe Bales, MTSU vice president for development and university relations, noted that “Gaining insight into Disney’s ‘magic’ will certainly help us add value to many of the programs and activities we provide to our alumni and friends.”
Disney’s message to those in leadership positions is, “What you do speaks louder than what you say.”
Michalos-Baker also spoke about the dedication to innovation and quality that Disney leaders are encouraged to have.
She used the introduction of Technicolor as an example from the early years during Walt Disney’s leadership. Disney artists had drawn 5,600 frames of the film “Flowers and Trees” before Technicolor came out. Disney was so dedicated to being on the edge of innovation that he had all 5,600 frames thrown out and redrawn utilizing the new technology.
The Disney Company also trains leaders to work competently in four areas of leadership action that the company believes are the most important: vision, organization, engagement and commitment.
Leaders at Disney must create a vision for their “cast members,” a Disney term for their employees, that inspires and motivates them to act. That vision must create a shared purpose, set a direction and convey values. Leaders at Disney also are charged with creating structure and processes. They are encouraged to give their employees authority and accountability equal to their assigned responsibilities.
Disney leaders are encouraged to walk around frequently so that employees may engage them. Disney leaders commit by proactively leading change and are focused on making dramatic leaps forward. They do this not only by developing and nurturing their employees but also by having employees conduct an annual evaluation of their leaders.
Disney’s success in leading innovation in the family-entertainment business gives the iconic company a level of authority to speak on leadership reserved for relatively few organizations. The positive response from the MTSU audience reflected the value of the information they received during those 90 minutes.
“We were delighted to play host to a program that is core to our mission,” said Dr. E. James Burton, MTSU business dean. “MTSU is preparing young men and women to become ethical, entrepreneurial successes in the business world, and the Disney Keys program is clearly in sync with our educational philosophy.”

####

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.