Speaker Pete Blank entertains and educates local business professionals on Thursday as part of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce Pursuit of Excellence Business Success Series. Blank, who worked in management at Disney for over a decade, spoke to a full house on “The Magic of Disney: Leadership & Employee Engagement.” (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
“Whatever we accomplish is due to the combined effort … In my organization, there is respect for every individual.” Walt Disney
And with that combined effort and respect, Walt Disney grew an empire. That management style has carried on, and now former Disney employee Pete Blank shares what he learned during his 15 years as part of the Magic Kingdom.
On Thursday, Oct. 12, Blank brought his knowledge to the Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine. Over 300 local business owners, employees and government officials showed up to hear him speak on “The Magic of Disney: Leadership & Employee Engagement.”
“There’s more than one way to be engaged in the workplace,” Blank explained later. “As leaders, we need to make sure we’re providing multiple opportunities for employee engagement.”
The basis of Blank’s advice centered around his four-point JOBS model. For people to feel connected to their work, they need to love at least one of the following: their Job, Organization, Boss or Squad.
Since each employee is different, leaders are most successful when they adapt their leadership style to meet each worker’s needs.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all management style,” Blank said, and stated the best thing an employer can ask a worker is: “What do you need to be successful?”
He also emphasized how much today’s employees have changed, and the importance of managers pursuing one-on-one time with their staff membersu. He encouraged transparency, adding, “Build relationships. Learn communication skills. Be okay admitting when you’re wrong.”
Blank began his career at Disney working in the parking lot while he was in college in 1989. After he graduated, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he spent two years as a weekend sportscaster. The move was fortuitous because that’s where he met his wife, Sherri … but he missed Disney.
So, back to Florida he went, eventually ending up at Disney University training employees, a job he loved. While there, he developed and delivered career development programs for over 55,000 cast members.
And though he returned to Birmingham in 2007 to fulfill a promise to Sherri, Blank merged what he learned at Disney into his current position—training managers in local government in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Besides his job, Blank, a certified speaking professional, has been bringing his energetic presentations to audiences around the country for over 20 years. He also entertains and educates through his podcast, Pete’s Points, which reaches thousands of people every week. And, in fact, he filmed his latest episode while in Bellefontaine.
Thursday’s event was part of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce Pursuit of Excellence Business Success Series. To learn more about upcoming activities, visit the chamber’s website at logancountyohio.com.