Many great leaders find themselves in a position of power not because it was what they seek, but because their personality and achievements attracted followers. Walt Disney was not born in a family of money, sent to an Ivy League school, or made famous by circumstance. Walt was a self-made man who had a great mind and made the people who believed in him and worked for him part of his dream.
Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois, into a family of five children. From a very young age, Walt showed interest in two things; cartoons and trains. During his sophomore year of high school in Chicago, Walt dropped out of school and attempted to join the United States Army. Being rejected by the army for his age, Walt then joined the Red Cross where he was sent to France to drive an ambulance for a short period of time. (Krasniewicz, 2010) In 1919, Walt returned to the US and moved to Kansas
…show more content…
Walt Disney would make it his mission to surround himself with people who he felt were smarter, more creative, and more experienced then himself. He wouldn’t deny anyone a chance if they had a good idea and a chance to succeed. All of his team members were told two things, have fun, and “Dream for the stars” –Walt Disney. As the reality came that it was time to build his “Disney Land”, him and his team kicked it into high gear. (Howes, 2012) All of the members of Disney’s management, research, and development employees took the title of “Imagineers” and every employee of the Walt Disney Corporation took the title of “Cast Member” as even the people who swept the streets inside the parks were part of the production that put Walt’s dream into reality. (Barrier, 2007) As a team, Walt believed they could succeed at anything “Of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating those who work with me and aiming their efforts at a certain goal.”-Walt Disney (Howes,