When new members are added to a group there is inherently change that has to happen for the group to adapt to its new members. When a group member is added and they don't fit the values of the organization it causes a lot of tension. This is something important to remember for the future because if someone doesn't fit what is needed and expected of a team, they create severe dysfunction in the team. 

A bit of responsibility

Last week I was able to be a captain for our Frozen Summer Fun fireworks. Captains are responsible for setting up viewing areas, designating cast members when to take breaks and where to stand during crowd control. It rained that night, so I ended up not doing a lot, but I'm hopeful to be given this responsibility again in the future!

http://elitedaily.com/life/culture/life-better-decide-be-yourself/1047856/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SC&utm_content=1047856

"The most authentic people in the world are the most interesting, the most innovative and the most charismatic."

Model the way

The best leadership I see is with our coordinators. They are leadership we see and interact with on a daily basis, they help to make sure the ride is running smoothly and are there if we need help. There are some coordinators who are better than others, but the best of them are the ones who come and work with us. We have a serious understaffing problem and when people call out and we don't have enough staff there are coordinators who will step in and work with us. They are the ones I admire most because they truly model the way for us. Even though they are in a leadership position they are not afraid to come down and work for the better of the attraction. 

I have received 15 four keys cards so far!

Working for Disney is the greatest experience I have ever had in my life. I complain pretty much daily about guests that are mean to me and how I get yelled at, but having that one great guest makes it so worth it. The other day I met a couple at fireworks and we chatted about their trip and the Frozen show we were watching. Today they made a special trip to Hollywood Studios to see me at The Great Movie Ride before they went home. As they were leaving they handed me this card and told me that good cast members like me are what make Disney magical. All I can say is that I love my job and I love working for Disney.

"Good cast members like you are what Disney so magical"

"Be good to the guests, be great to each other."

Four keys

Four keys are compliment cards from work that go on your permanent record card. You receive them when another cast member or leader seeing you do something above and beyond and practicing the basic morals of the company: safety, courtesy, show, efficientcy. I got 9 cards this week! :)

Teamwork part 2

Teamwork is a huge part of working at Great Movie Ride, I didn't realize it at first but we each play a large and important role in the functioning of the attraction. One of the four keys of the Walt Disney company is efficency and GMR is undoubtedly one of the most efficient rides out there. Each position effects the next and if there is an issue at the beginning of the line it causes a domino affect through the rest of the attraction. The same goes for the attitude of my coworkers. When one of us is feeling negative or having a rough day it affects everyone else. Because we work so closely together teamwork between us is imperative. In the past few weeks there has been training going on which means everyone has to work more hours to  make up for the lost time used in training. We have all been working on average 12-14 hour days 6 days a week. Spending so much time together and so little time to ourselves caused a lot of tension, but since we were all in the same position it created a stronger sort of bond so that when one of us was having a hard time we could compensate for it and keep the ride moving slowly. One of the most important lessons I've learned since I've been here is the importance of teamwork. As much as I love my job, if I didn't get to work with such wonderful people I know I wouldn't love it half as much. 

Team work

Last week Hollywood Studios had its infamous Star Wars weekend. The first weekend of many, it was incredibly hectic at my attraction. Everyone is stressed from the long work hours and the excessive people that pour in for the event. What amazed me was the way our team band together to get through this stressful period. During my shift I had to take a moment to realize how effortlessly everyone was working together. While this wasn't specifically attributed to any particular direction from management, it was the work of a dedicated group of people working together. We were a well oiled machine loading and unloading Guests onto shows and the time really went by quickly while everyone played their role in our show. It was a good feeling to see everyone take such an active role in the team, and a large team at that. But as I watched I could see everyone around me helping each other and getting into a groove together to make all the craziness and business seem so effortless. 

Challenge the Process

Something I have seen that is lacking through the organization is a lack of "making waves". If something needs to be changed or someone has an idea it's difficult to convey that information to upper management. Change seems to be a very slow process and few people want to initiate change because they don't believe it's something that happens. When changes do happen they aren't told to employees until it is publicized to the general public as well. 

Yesterday I was marveling at the new facade surrounding Hollywood Studios. For 15 years the iconic Socerers hat blocked the view from the entrance of Hollywood Studios to the Chinese Theatre. The vision for this park was to see down the street to this beautiful building. For the first one in my lifetime I was able to see this view. While I was standing looking up and this wonderful building I was approached by two managers. Neither worked in my area or even in my department but they asked me how I liked this view. We talked about how beautiful bringing the hat and walk down to reveal the Chinese Theatre in its new found glory. They told me how wonderful it was to see this view again because hey had worked for Disney long enough to see before the hat, during the hat, and now after the hat. After talking about how nice it was to see the park returned to what it was originally meant to be they asked me where I was working, how I liked my job and even what my plans were for my future with Disney. This is something I hadn't even considered at this point. What struck me from this conversation was the genuine interest these managers took in my opinion. They went out of their way to have a conversation with me and hear what opinion and thoughts. No one asked them to do this, they weren't my bosses, I may never even see them again. But I know these two women must be in a management position for a reason. They listened to me and they were truly interested. It has been the best encounter I have had with Disney management so far, it demonstrated the care these two managers clearly have for their company and for its employees. Needless to say, yesterday was a lovely day.