Walt the Businessman

What is the key to running a successful business? Wouldn’t we all like to know the magic formula? For Walt Disney it was creating an environment for his workers in which talking and socialising were frowned upon, doors were nailed shut and people were expected to obey without question. “Waltitarianism” is the term coined by Kevin Shortsleeve to describe Disney’s management style. I could not help but be a little shocked when I read that Disney ruled with a heavy hand, instilling fear among his employees, leaving them paranoid and afraid to even put a step out of line for fear of what Walt might do. Surely an environment like this would stifle creativity not inspire it, but Walt Disney clearly knew what he was doing and Disney ran like a well-oiled machine under his leadership. Appearance versus reality is a very common theme in Disney movies and it appears that the company itself is no different. Although DisneyWorld is supposed to be “The happiest place on Earth” for tourists, this sentiment doesn’t seem to be shared by the Disney staff if Shortsleeve is to be believed. Perhaps Disney was somewhat of a dictator who had a no nonsense approach to business but why does Disney always seem to be held to a higher standard than everyone else? Measuring the success of the Disney Empire doesn’t just seem to cut it for a lot of people. Perhaps its because we have all grown up surrounded by Disney. We feel emotionally connected and invested in the company and would hate to have anything shatter the idyllic image of magic that it represents.

Walt Disney may have prided himself on being first and foremost an outstanding entertainer and artist, but for me, he was an incredible businessman. Although Shortsleeve may have criticised his leadership approach, very few men could have created such a dynasty like Disney. Shortsleeve claims that Disney is still stuck in the past, trying to relive its glory days of the 1930’s but I beg to differ. Some of Disney’s best and most successful movies have been released in the past few years, Frozen being the most recent example. The Depression was definitely a very bleak time in American history but Disney managed to use is as a platform to transform his company. Disney gave his audience what they so badly craved back then; hope and a much needed escape from the harsh realities of life. Disney movies may be overflowing with utopian ideas and idealistic endings but can we honestly say we would enjoy them as much if they all ended in catastrophe? I know I wouldn’t.