The Business of Life

Beyond the Bricks and Mortar

“You can design and create and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” - Walt Disney

To read Walt Disney’s biography is, to say the least, humbling. The man must have had at least a few clones to help with all that innovation. Disney got his start in the 1920’s drawing and producing short-subject cartoons for a theatre in Kansas City. He moved to Hollywood and founded the company that would eventually become Walt Disney Studios. Throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s, Disney revolutionized the animation business and introduced sound accompaniment with such memorable characters as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Snow White and Dumbo. He expanded into feature films, immediately producing such classics as Fantasia and Bambi and eventually winning 26 Academy Awards in his career. As if that weren’t enough, he created such live-action feature films as Treasure Island, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and The Parent Trap. Seemingly never at rest, Disney produced The Wonderful World of Disney which became a Sunday night appointment for millions of Americans in the early days of color television. As if that weren’t enough, Disney built the first grand-scale amusement park called Disneyland and was the Head of Pageantry for the 1960 Winter Olympics. That’s what I call non-stop achievement, packed into a life that was cut short by lung cancer in 1966.

What is most revealing to me about Walt Disney’s life is his love of people. Many of his achievements were acknowledged as collaborative, with a loyal group of associates and employees who dearly loved him. When he originally sketched out Disneyland, he envisioned it as a place where his employees could be with their children. He wanted a train to surround the park because it evoked memories of entertaining his daughter and her friends. To Walt Disney, the awards, accolades, possessions and recognition meant nothing without people around to share the joys. For him, having perspective is all about remembering that it’s people not things that matter most.

I know that I frequently get caught up in the possession trap and forget the people who make all the striving worthwhile. What good is a brand new Lexus if you don’t have any passengers? Isn’t that big screen pretty blank without someone by your side on the couch? Winning that big contract or getting that great job seems sort of hollow without anyone to celebrate your brilliance. Losing a parent or suffering through a debilitating illness is all the more devastating with no close friends to share the weight. No matter the circumstance, good or bad, people make it better.

Recognition, however, is only the first step toward change. What do we do now? Well, for me it’s a constant challenge to remember that life is all about people. My perspective is to totally immerse myself in those relationships that really matter. I may not always, or even frequently, succeed but I will never stop trying. No matter how difficult the person or situation, if it’s worth having it’s worth working for. I want to take the long view and look for real value, not pick through the minutiae creating mountains from molehills. My perspective is to have a vibrant, loving and respectful relationship with my daughter regardless of her independent streak and know-it-all demeanor. I want to confer true value on my friends and business partners, conveying a sense of respect and honor even in difficult times. I want to validate my wife and our partnership even as we face daunting financial troubles or issues with our children. These are real world decisions that we can make every day and there are many others that will enhance your long-term orientation and perspective. It really is all about your people and the fanciest bricks, wood, leather, wool or electronic circuitry will never change that. They might be “in addition to” but never “instead of” if you want to live an abundant, fulfilling life. Walt Disney knew that and I am forever trying to learn it.

Labels: Academy Awards, animation, Disneyland, personal relationships, perspective, Walt Disney

posted by Tom Hagerty @ 5:39 AM