Less than 2% of people who apply to be Disney theme park characters get hired. Less than two percent. That’s harder than getting into Harvard, Stanford, or Yale.

If you do get the job, there’s one rule that matters more than all the others: when a kid hugs you, you never let go first. Ever. The Disney hug rule says the kid decides when the hug is done. Even if your arms are cramping and you can’t feel your legs.

That’s not just a theme park rule. It’s a leadership rule. And most of you are breaking it constantly without realizing it.

In this episode, I break down how the Disney hug rule applies to every conversation you have with your team, the 5:10 rule that builds culture in five-second moments, and why your micro-moments matter more than your all-hands meetings.

🎧 Press play. Don’t let go of the hug.

In this episode:

▶ The 2% acceptance rate to become a Disney character (harder than Harvard)
▶ The Disney hug rule: never let go of the hug first, ever
▶ The kid scenario: imagine Mickey pushing you away before you’re ready
▶ The work scenario: checking texts while your direct report is opening up
▶ The 5:10 rule from my friend Gerry: smile at 10 feet, say hi at 5
▶ Why micro-moments build culture more than all-hands meetings ever will
▶ The 5-part challenge to start hugging like Mickey at work

If you’ve been checking your phone during 1:1s lately, this one’s for you.

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Isn’t It Time You Got To The Next Level?

The Free Leadership Diagnostic Workshop >> Uncover the hidden patterns keeping you stuck. www.TheBestLeadershipCompany.com/leadership-diagnostic-workshop

The Best Leadership Newsletter Ever >> www.TheBestLeadershipNewsletter.com

Everything Else Jeff >> linktr.ee/jeffmatlow

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Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction
[01:50] Disney World
[03:50] Don’t Let Go First
[05:17] The Disney Hug At Work
[07:10] The 5:10 Rule
[09:34] Your Challenge: Hug Like Mickey

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