There is no box. More insights on how to lead like Walt Disney

These five learning points are all extracted from the book How To Be Like Walt, by Pat Williams with Jim Denney. I know you're busy, so I read the book for you.

1. GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

Don't be afraid to roll your sleeves up and get out there where the customers are.

Journalist Art Linkletter turned up for a screening of Disney's new movie Fantasia. He arrived early for the press conference and "found the place empty except for one fellow who was busily arranging chairs.

I said, 'When is Walt Disney supposed to arrive?'

He grinned and said, 'I'm Walt Disney.'

I said, 'You are? Why are you arranging chairs?'

'Well,' he said, 'I like to have things just-so.'

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2. BELIEVE PEOPLE CAN DO MORE THAN THEY THINK

To 'wow' customers in over-crowded markets you need to draw exceptional performances out of your people. That means having confidence in them and pushing them beyond their comfort zone.

"Walt had more confidence in us as artists than we had in ourselves. I'm a sculptor now, but I used to be an animator, and I loved it. I didn't want to leave animation and go work in the theme parks. But Walt saw me as a sculptor and he sold me on it. He made me believe I could do it. He gave us the confidence to do things we never imagined were possible."

- Blaine Gibson, Disney sculptor

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3. THERE IS NO BOX

"Today you hear people talk about 'thinking outside the box'. But Walt would say, 'No! Don't think outside the box! Once you say that, you've established that there is a box.' Walt would refuse to accept the existence of the box."

- Disney historian Jim Korkis

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4. HAVE VISION

Walt Disney died before Disney World in Florida could be completed. On opening day in 1971, almost five years after his death, someone commented to Mike Vance, creative director of Walt Disney Studios, 'Isn't it too bad Walt Disney didn't live to see this�' 'He did see it,' Vance replied simply. 'That's why it's here.'

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5. INSPIRE PEOPLE THEN LET THEM GET ON WITH IT

"Walt challenged and inspired you by talking to you. He wouldn't give you detailed instructions about what he wanted you to do. Instead, he would simply point you in the direction he wanted you to go, then leave the rest up to you. He would get you started on the creative process and inspire you with confidence. As a result, you would go far beyond what you thought you were capable of doing." (my emphasis: Walt's Frozen Head)

- Band leader Tutti Camarata, whom Disney recruited to set up Disneyland Records (now called Walt Disney Records).