What is something you know now that you wish you knew earlier in your career? It’s a question I often hear – and I’ve asked it myself many times. I’ve been incredibly thankful to have had fantastic mentors and career experiences that have led me to discover some invaluable leadership lessons ... leadership is a journey, after all. And I truly believe that sharing those findings – at any level of the organization – fosters a culture of curiosity and innovation. So, as we look to the future of Disney Signature Experiences, internally, we’ve been quite busy hosting storyteller series, events, podcasts and other ways to share best practices and learnings from our leaders, as well as reinforce key leadership behaviors that will serve as our north star as our businesses continue to grow. And let me tell you, as a lifelong learner, I love that I’m getting a chance to gain new insights and lessons in leadership along the way … more things that make me say “I wish I knew that at the start of my career!” So, I’ll also be sharing some of these with you here. But for now, I’d love to hear from you ... What’s something you wish you knew at the beginning of your career? #LeadershipLessons #DisneySignatureExperiences
Joel Katz
1d
Reflecting on my career, I wish I had understood earlier that change and uncertainty aren't just hurdles to overcome—they're actually opportunities in disguise.
Looking back, I wish I had known just how quickly time flies in a career. Early on, I thought there was plenty of time to figure things out, but now it feels like I blinked and suddenly I’m here, juggling opportunities, and tackling the next challenge. It’s like the clock has been stuck on fast-forward ever since! One thing I wish I had realized sooner is the importance of setting intentional boundaries to protect both my time and energy. When you're good at relationship-building and thrive in dynamic environments, it’s easy to say "yes" to every project or opportunity that comes your way. But sometimes, you need to pause, delegate, and create space to focus on what truly matters. If I'd known that earlier, I might have been a bit more selective, without missing out on anything – except maybe a little extra stress!
Grace F.
1d
I wish I had known earlier that leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking the right questions. The moment I stopped trying to be the expert and started listening more, everything changed for the better. Turns out, the team usually has the answers—they just need the space to shine!
I wish I would have known myself better, actually. For so many years, I tried to fit the mold of what others wanted me to be. Over time, I realized my best fit roles, where I truly shined, were the newly created roles. I could follow my instincts instead of the footprints of those before me. It's why I love running my own boutique marketing consulting firm. I can blaze a trail no one, perhaps even me, has seen.
Joe DiPonzio
1d
I wish I wouldn’t have been so afraid to step out of my comfort zone immediately after graduating with my MBA 11 years ago. Looking back, I would have done a cruise contract at the beginning of my career, or immediately looked into internship opportunities in park operations. Knowing what I know now, that experience would have been invaluable throughout my career.
Joel Ryan
4h
Love this! I’ve come to realize how important lifelong learning and higher education are for growing my technical skills and finding true career fulfillment. Investing in others and helping them succeed creates a wonderful cycle of learning and growth. Looking back, I wish I had understood the value of mentorship earlier; it truly can transform both personal and professional journeys
Joe Gavigan
2h
I wish I listened to those who pushed me to consistently prioritize building and strengthening my network beyond immediate colleagues. Fortunately, it's never too late, and I eventually made it a big priority, and I preach it often to my mentees and anyone else who will listen. 😁
Tammy Barron
1d
Get out of your comfort zone and try new things outside your area of expertise. It will allow you to grow and explore your career path along the way. You can find ways to incorporate your passion and attributes into whatever you do, be creative in how you can impact your team!
Such a great prompt! It’s all about those lessons that shape us—what’s your biggest 'aha' moment from your early career? 🌟
Talent Acquisition & Recruiting Extraordinaire | Compassionate Servant Leader | Creative Storyteller | Effective Communicator | Enthusiastic Career Champion | Purpose Driven Optimist
1dI think for me it would be the understanding that my career would look more like a rock climbing wall rather than a ladder and that it’s normal to have a career with different types of movement because it’s all growth. Lateral moves are a way to perhaps stay in a similar role but learn about a new business segment or work with a different team. Vertical moves are promotions or opportunities to stretch beyond where you were. Then you have diagonal which gives you growth by exploring a new path altogether. All movement adds layers of experience, gives you the chance to learn/gain new skills, exercise some more that you haven’t previously been able to use as much or further strengthen those that you excel in. All of these experiences make you more well-rounded and add more value to your portfolio as you pursue the next step along your path.