leadership dot #1922: facade

If I asked you to picture a construction zone, you likely would conjure up an image of dust and dirt with materials and machines strewn about. That may be the case for most projects, but not at Disney World. Such reminders of reality would burst the bubble of the fantasyland experience they are trying to create, so when renovations happen in the Magic Kingdom, they do so behind a façade.



The building in this picture is under construction, but the view in photographs is not marred by scaffolding or workers – instead, the camera’s eye only sees the image on a giant tarp that shows what the building will look like when the work behind it is finished. (If you look closely, you can see the folds above the doorway.) I am sure it cost a fortune to do, but if you are Disney, it is just part of the construction cost and what has to be done.

How can you align your expenses so clearly with your values? Think of the experience or service you are offering and what should be provided to align your work with that - -have you allocated the budget to make it a reality? For a hospital, it might be sparing no expense for patient safety. A school might stretch expenses to the limit to improve student learning. A designer may invest in a high-grade paper for their promotional materials. A photographer may require the top-of-the-line camera that strains the budget. And Disney might invest in a building-sized tarp to preserve the fantasy.

We all have things that are core values. The question becomes whether we make the sacrifices to truly live them.

Thanks Mike!

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