At Disney, we believe that leaders must be intentional, proactive, and authentic in their behavior to influence their organization’s cultures and practices. Meeting planners can let their “actions speak louder than words” by utilizing their organization’s meeting as a tool to communicate their organization’s culture intentionally and effectively. By incorporating a keynote speaker, educational workshop, or team building exercise into the meeting agenda, planners can ensure attendees are exposed to the shared values and beliefs of their organization. 

Let’s take a look at some of the intentional, behavioral-driven leadership insights that meeting planners can learn from a Disney Institute training session (this content originally appeared on the Disney Institute Talking Point blog):

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: “actions speak louder than words.” But, did you know that this idea can be your key to establishing the thriving organizational culture you desire

While corporate culture is often defined as the shared values and beliefs of the people that make up an organization, how that culture is effectively communicated – through behaviors and actions – can sometimes be overlooked by leaders.

In past posts, we’ve shared that leaders must be intentional, proactive and authentic when it comes to fostering an environment that supports the culture they want to cultivate in their workplace. Why? Because, if leaders are not purposeful, the organization’s culture can become a “culture by default,” often dictated by the current workplace environment.

At Disney Institute, we teach business professionals that an organization’s values often form intentionally by proactive leaders or organically in the presence of all types of leaders. One can have an innovative culture, a creative culture, even a toxic culture and it likely stems from the behaviors and actions demonstrated by the leaders within the organization. 

Recently, I read a Harvard Business Review article, which talks specifically about this idea. As the author points out, when leaders consistently behave in a way that clearly aligns with their stated values, the outcome is usually a workplace culture that reflects these same values.

At Disney Parks and Resorts, one of the areas where we have been very intentional over many years is creating a culture of safety. We have been able to do this by ensuring leaders continuously promote and prioritize safety through their words and deeds. When Cast Members see their leaders consistently demonstrating safe behaviors, the entire team can more easily act and behave in ways that also support safety as an organizational value and a critical component of our culture.

So, whether you’re planning an executive retreat, a board of directors meeting, or a conference for thousands, Disney Institute can inspire you and your attendees with key takeaways and new ways of thinking that can be adapted and applied to their own careers and organizations. To learn more about engaging Disney Institute for professional development content for your next meeting or event held at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, submit a Request for Proposal or Contact Us to speak directly with a Disney representative or Sign Up to stay in touch with Disney Meetings. 

Tell us – What kind of organizational culture are you promoting through your actions? Let us know on FacebookTwitter or LinkedIn using hashtag #DisneyMeetingsBlog.