Episode 23

Leading with Empathy and Discipline with Lee Cockerell

Published on: 1st February, 2023

On this episode of The Performance Mindset podcast, Amy speaks with Lee Cockerell, a former Executive VP of Operations for Walt Disney World Resort. One of Lee’s lasting legacies was the creation of Disney Great Leader Strategies, which was used to train and develop the 7,000 leaders at Walt Disney World.

Before joining Walt Disney World in 1990, Lee held various executive positions with Hilton Hotels and the Marriott Corporation. Today, his time is dedicated to public speaking, authoring several books, performing leadership and service excellence workshops, and consulting for organizations around the world, including for Disney Institute.

In this episode, you’ll hear:


  1. Lee Cockerell’s background, how he landed in the hospitality industry after a military stint, and why he started his business after retiring from Disney.
  2. Why good leaders have empathy and discipline and how those qualities can make a difference in people’s lives.
  3. How planning out your week can help you narrow your focus to the most important activities.
  4. The moments that stand out during Lee’s career and why attitude makes all the difference.
  5. His advice to people who want to create a performance mindset.


Connect with Amy Calandrino here:

Beyond Commercial

CREI Summit


Connect with Lee Cockerell:

LinkedIn

Website

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About the Podcast

Performance Mindset - Fueling Success in Commercial Real Estate, Leadership
Performance Mindset - Fueling Success in Commercial Real Estate, Leadership
Based in sunny Orlando, Amy Calandrino and the team at Beyond Commercial have spent over a decade empowering business owners, leaders, and investors to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. Along the way, we’ve uncovered a defining trait among the most successful: a performance mindset. This is the foundation that helps leaders stay ahead, make bold decisions, and inspire teams to achieve extraordinary results.

But success isn’t just about the properties you own or the deals you close—it’s about leadership. It’s about tackling self-limiting beliefs, leveraging data to make informed decisions, and consistently following through on your goals. With the right mindset, support system, and commitment to growth, exponential success is not only possible—it’s inevitable.
In the Performance Mindset series, we dive deep into leadership strategies, commercial real estate trends, and business insights.

You’ll hear stories and lessons from our most accomplished clients, industry experts, and thought leaders. From Orlando to wherever you are, we’re here to help you lead with clarity, build wealth, and create lasting impact.

Ready to take your business, investments, and leadership to the next level? Contact Amy Calandrino and the Beyond Commercial team today!

Visit us at BeyondCommercial.com or connect directly with Amy at AmyCalandrino.com.

Let’s make your vision a reality!

About your host

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Amy Calandrino

I thrive on meeting clients face-to-face, shaking hands, and helping them achieve their short and long-term goals. For me, it's all about the personal touch combined with a strategic lens. I get great satisfaction from finding the best space and maximizing returns for my clients. But BEYOND the transaction, what truly drives me is developing personalized strategies to help them build wealth.

My clients and colleagues describe me as having both head and heart. I’ve earned CCIM and SIOR designations, and Beyond Commercial is a certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). I’m recognized as a key influencer in the industry.

Developing ongoing relationships and seeing my clients thrive is what truly drives me. Business owners and investors benefit from my extensive knowledge of inventories, trends, and space. While I have a hyper-local focus in Winter Park and Greater Orlando, I have global reach through alliances with other boutique brokerages and the Commercial Real Estate Supplier Diversity Alliance (CRESDA).

While Central Florida is home, I developed an affinity for Winter Park while earning my degree at Rollins College. Its charm reminds me of my New England roots. Today, I feel blessed to serve many of the area’s businesses and property owners. I also contribute to the community as a Park Avenue District Board member, part of the Main Street America program.

Beyond my work at Beyond Commercial, I'm involved in initiatives that align with my professional and personal aspirations. Alongside my husband Phil, I co-founded the Calandrino Foundation to inspire entrepreneurship, starting with our youth. I’m also passionate about sharing insights through my Performance Mindset podcast, where I engage in thought-provoking conversations with fellow business leaders.

My upcoming book, From Perfect to Real: Embracing Authenticity for Peak Performance, will chronicle my personal struggles, professional journey, and the SPORT Success System® I developed for achieving peak performance.

While providing above-and-beyond service is a priority, my greatest loves are my faith and family. Phil and I cherish raising our two lively children. In my downtime, I also enjoy a round of golf or running a 5k.

The team at Beyond Commerical and I are ready to serve you above and BEYOND. Connect with us today!