Walt Disney: Leadership Styles, Motivation Theories & Structure

This report analyzes the leadership and motivational strategies employed by Walt Disney, focusing on how these elements contribute to the company's success. It examines the motivational tactics used, including the application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's two-factor theory, to understand how Disney fosters a motivated workforce. The report also delves into the leadership style of CEO Bob Igner, highlighting his use of participative leadership and its impact on employee engagement and decision-making. Furthermore, the organizational structure of Walt Disney is discussed, emphasizing how it supports effective management and employee performance. The analysis provides insights into how Disney's approach to leadership, motivation, and organizational structure contributes to its position as a leading business organization in the entertainment industry. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

LEADING BUSINESS
ORGANSIATIONS

Table of Contents
LEADING BUSINESS ORGANSIATIONS...............................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
1. Motivation in Disney...........................................................................................................................3
2. Leadership style of Bob Igner..............................................................................................................7
3. Organizational structure of Walt Disney..............................................................................................1
CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................3
References...................................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Leading business organisation is a technique which is entrusted upon the leaders and
managers of the companies. For this purpose, they adopt several models and approaches that help
them in leading the firm in an ideal manner. Besides this, for leading the enterprise in effectual
manner it is necessary that the company induces the motivation level of workers through
different innovative ideas. Thus, the business institutions can easily make their operations based
on the active process. The present report is based on the way of leading organizations in effective
manner. For this purpose, the chosen company is Walt Disney which is a well known name in
the entertainment world. The report has a discussion over the motivational tactics that were used
by mentioned enterprise because of which the organization made an unexpected success in the
industry. Besides this, the report will have a focus over the leadership models as well which is
used by the CEO of cited enterprise. In addition to this, the report is going to discuss about the
organizational structure of the stated entity which is applied within workplace for attaining the
best results and manage employees in better way.
1. Motivation in Disney
Motivation is one of the important part of human life. Motivated staff can perform its
duties well. Motivation is the theoretical concept that helps in changing behavior of individual
towards the company (Cimiotti and et. al, 2012). If person is not motivated then individual will
leave the job and that may affect overall working efficiency of the organization to great extent.
Disney is the firm which is working well in the entertainment industry. It focuses more on needs
of consumers and accordingly serve them services. That is why every year, number of customers
of the organization is increasing day by day and revenues of the cited firm is increasing to great
extent (Driskell and Salas, 2013).
Disney concentrates on needs and desires of employees and try to fulfill their
requirements. It follows Maslow’s motivation theory in the workplace. This model explains that
human being has different needs and it is necessary to understand and identify these
requirements in order to fulfill those (Drummond and et. al, 2015). Maslow theory of motivation
explains that physiological, safety, love, cognitive, self actualization are basic needs of the
person. Cited firm focuses on these needs and provides them healthy environment where these

requirements can be fulfilled. By using this concept management of Disney motivates its staff
members to great extent
Needs of each staff members is differed from other. Some wants to gin monitory benefits
whereas other want non monitory benefits. Maslow theory has divided the desires of employees
into five basic parts. Disney follows this theory well in the workplace in order to motivate its
staff members (Newhouse and Garber, 2013). It first looks upon physiological needs of
individual. If any workers is having breathing, food, water problems then cited firm provides
them company accommodation facilities. In which cited firm gives them free water, food, room
facilities. By this way staff members will get motivated and they will be loyal towards the brand.
By this way they will put their best efforts for improving working efficiency level of the
employees. Once physiological nees have been identified them company concentrates on their
safety needs (Thompson and et.al, 2013). It provides them security, health insurance etc. so that
they keep protected and. That is the great way of motivating people. Most of the employees do
not perform well because they suffer from fear of getting harm. But when Disney offers then
safety protection then people will be loyal towards the brand and they will stay in the
organization for longer duration.
Disney treats its staff members as assets of the company. It give them love and affection.
Apart from this cited firm creates healthy and positive workplace environment so that people like
the environment and stay in the organization for longer duration. Maslow theory explains that
esteem needs are also in human being (Woltmann and et. al, 2012). For fulfilling this need
Disney encourage its staff members and give them promotional opportunities. That would
develop confidence among employees and they will find carrier growth in the cited firm. By this
way can stay in the organization for longer duration. Motivated staff are satisfied employee of
the company and this staff can not be influenced by any condition by any competitors. Cited
firm focuses on self actualization needs of employees and create innovative environment so that
people share their views and they feel happy in the cited firm (Okurame, 2012).

Illustration 1: Maslow theory
Source: (Maslow’s Hierarchy Needs, 2015)
Disney identifies monitory and non monitory needs of the workers. If the employee has
monitory needs then cited firm offers them cash bonuses, incentives etc. Whereas if workers
have non monitory needs then organization provides them promotional opportunities etc. Overall
cited firm emphasis on desires of its workers and try to build such environment where it can
satisfy desires of the workers (Gartner, Carter and Hills, 2016). By this way it will be able to
motivate its employees well and people will put their best efforts for improving working
performance of the company.
Herzberg's theory of motivation
It is another motivational theory that can be used by Disney for motivating its staff
members. There are two main factors motivation and hygiene. Cited firm can also follow this
concept that would give optimistic results to the organization. In this Disney can concentrates on

providing job security and making flexible policies so that staff feel comfortable and like the
environment to great extent. It is the great way and can encourage the people top stay in the
company for longer duration. Disney tries to build relationship between employees so that no
conflicts can take place (Griffin, 2013). By developing communication and relations cited firm
will be able to create healthy and positive workplace environment where all person will be able
to share their feelings and views openly. It is the great way that can help in encouraging people
most. Supervisors in the cited firm leads the team well and they guide them well. By this way
people enhance their knowledge it motivates them and they get developed too. By following
these factors cited firm can easily motivates its employees and can raise their satisfaction level to
great extent (Guastello, 2013).
Motivation factor is another part of Herzberg theory in which Disney can concentrates on
providing promotional opportunities, personal growth, achievement to the staff members. By this
way they will like the workplace and they will put their best efforts for achieving goal of the
organization. Some people have non monitory needs by fulfilling these desires cited firm can
encourage its staff members easily (Maslow’s Hierarchy Needs, 2015). Disney can evaluate the
performance of its workers and on the bases of evaluation it can promote its employees to high
level. That will develop confidence among people and they will fulfill their responsibilities well.
Company can give them training too, that is another great way that can encourage the people
working in the organization. By giving training, cited firm will be able to enhance their
knowledge, skills. Thus, they will start working well and deliver great services to consumers as
well )The way people are, 2016(. That motivates staff members and they will get motivated to
great extent. Recognition is another way to encourage employees of Disney. Company can give
them recognition in front of all staff members by this way person will feel valuable and it will
encourage others as well. Because by this way other will also work hard to get this honor. These
are the ways through which Disney can motivates its staff members and can increase their morale
to great extent.

Illustration 1: Herzberg theory
Source: (Gartner, Carter and Hills, 2016)
2. Leadership style of Bob Igner
Leaders are the persons those who lead the team and motivate them so that team
members perform their duties well. A good leader can support in enhancing efficiency level of
workers and can assist in achieving goal of the organization. Leadership is the skill of the person
and way of leading a team. There are many king of leadership styles such these all play
significant role in the success of the company (Griffin, 2013).
Disney is the well know place, CEO Mr. Bob Igner adopts participative leadership style
in the workplace. It is the type of style in which all people work together and leaders involve all
members in the decision making process. Leaders behave polite with employees and they guide
them well so that person can improve their skills and knowledge. Mr. Bob Igner follows
participative leadership style. It guide its team members so that they improve their efficiency
level. Apart from this they work as team. Co Disney conduct time to time meting with its team

members and take their suggestions. Views, innovative ideas of workers are accepted in the
Disney (Okurame, 2012). It supports in making people loyal towards the brand. It develops
communication between employees and employers. Thus, conflicts get reduced to great extent.
That is the reason why Disney is performing well and there no complain of conflicts between
staff members and CEO. Mr. Bob emphases on needs and wants of employees and provide them
healthy and positive environment in the workplace so that people feel comfortable and stay in the
organization for longer duration.
Cited firm believe in active participation of team members thus., it takes feedback from
the staff members so that company can improve its efficiency level to great extent. Open
communication is the great benefit of participative leadership style (Gartner, Carter and
Hills,2016). According to case study of Disney it is found that all seven members work together
and support each other in every circumstances well. IF there is any critical situation arise the in
such condition cited firm do not get worried and employees put their best efforts to resolve such
complex problem. In the middle of the years Disney has faced problems but all workers has
supported the cited firm and their valuable participation has helped in improving working
condition onn the company to great extent (Thompson and et.al, 2013).
Disney always care for its workers and try to fulfill their needs and demand. It assist in
making people loyal towards the brand. Company offers them rewards and recognition to
motivate them. Apart from this it cars for their basic requirements, if person has monitory needs
then cited firm provides them cash bonuses, incentives whereas if people have promotional needs
then company offers them promotion opportunity (Cimiotti and et. al, 2012). That is why staff
members of the organization are satisfied and they are happy in the workplace of Disney. Many
of the employees of cited firm are working since long duration in the firm just because of
partcipative leadership of Mr. Bob Igner.
It can be critically evaluated that democratic leadership style is the great way that can
help in smooth running of the organization. It gives huge benefit to organization and as well its
staff members. Participative leadership of CEO assists in developing confidence of employees
and they put their best efforts for improving working condition of the company. Disney has
satisfied employees just because of participative nature of its leaders. Authorities involve them in
decision making process every times, by this way they get innovative ideas that can help in

spreading brand name of Disney across the world (Driskell and Salas, 2013). This leadership
style increases loyalty of works and skilled employees stay in the organization for longer
duration. On other hand it is not good because involvement of all members is time consuming.
That is why Disney fails to make effective decisions on time. By involving all employees in
decision making process company can improve efficiency level but due to high time
consumption actual results sometimes get differed from expected outcome.
Disney is well focused towards its staff members, it fulfills needs of its employees and
take care of them. This leader style give benefit to the cited firm and improves satisfaction level
of workers. But due to time staff members start feeling casual and they do not take their
responsibilities seriously. They avoid to work hard and overconfidence hamper their working
performance. There is no fear of higher authorities so they do not follow rules and regulations of
the company. All people work in different direction as per their own norms (Newhouse and
Garber, 2013). That impact on the efficiency level of the company. Sometimes due to this results
get differed and company has to face huge loss. Leadership style of Mr. Bob is good. That helps
in making people loyal towards the brand and assist in increasing retention rate of employees.
That is why all members of cited firm support in organization in critical time and they put the
best efforts for improving performance level of the organization.
On other hand if Disney has adopted autocratic leadership then it had to behave rood with
employees. In such type of leadership, authorities do not involve people in decision making
process,. They just take their own judgment and pass the information to lower staff members. In
this type of leadership, employees have to follow strict rules and regulations. Apart from this
they can not directly communicate with their higher authorities (Woltmann and et. al, 2012). That
demotes people and then job turn over of workers get increased. Thus it can be critically
evaluated that autocratic leadership style would not be better for Disney. Participative leadership
style is effective and appropriate for the cited firm. By this way company will be able to
accomplish its objective soon. Involvement of staff members will give innovative ideas to cited
firm and it will be bale to raise performance level of the organization to great extent (Griffin, R.
2013). By following democratic leadership style cited firm will able to gain loyalty of the
employees thus, skilled person will stay in the workplace for longer duration. They will put their
best efforts for raising profitability and sustainability of the company.

3. Organizational structure of Walt Disney
The Walt Disney company follows the Flat organisational structure in which different
executives and head of the departments have been included. Each department follows a particular
chain of command so as to communicate and share their ideas and thoughts. It is apparent that
the said company has four major business segments related to the Entertainment, Theme Parks,
Resorts and Television network. All these segments are managed by different teams and also
they use to communicate each and every information with each other outside the place (Guastello,
2013). As per these informations all of them use to make a collective plan and make their work
synchronised with each other. In the Flat organisational structure there is there are less number of
levels and the middle level management is connected directly with its staff and other executives.
As per the case, it is apparent that the organisation is following the flat structure in which the
employees are working as a team of several people. The said organisational structure has been
proved to be of good contribution for the firm due to following reasons:
Cost efficient: The major advantage which has been received by following this structure is its
cost efficiency. As it includes less number of levels between top to bottom level of management,
it decreases the level of cost in the form of less payment that is made to executives and
employees. Those cost which is saved by involving less number of people, company has to pay
less salary and wages, fringe benefits etc. Thus these saved costs can be invested towards more
productive works (Newhouse and Garber, 2013).
Faster decision making: As the number of people involved in the structure, there are less number
of people which have to be consulted for decision making. Thus, the response between both the
parties become quick and with less number of loops. The CEO makes a direct level of
communication with all the remaining members which helps in taking faster decision by
mentioned enterprise.
Less dominance: The flat organizational structure helps in giving more sense of responsibility to
the employees as the top level managers have less dominance and interference in the working
prices of the organization. The workers are given enough freedom to discuss their views and
make decisions on their own (Okurame, 2012). The Walt Disney has also attained the big success
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as it provided its all team members freedom to share their innovative ideas and apply them to
attain productive results.
Clear communication: The flat organizational is more advantageous as it has less number of
layers due to which the communication is quite clear and faster. As per this communication, the
people involved in entire communication process, become able to make a direct communication
due to which the actual message reaches to the intended receiver without distorting. The
mentioned firm has also succeeded due to its ability to establish the communication level in very
effective manner (Thompson and et.al., 2013).
Besides the above mentioned reasons due to which the flat organizational structure is best
suitable for the company, there are some limitations as well which are as follows:
Losing control: The flat organizational structure is efficient till the number of workers within
firm is less. Therefore, when the number of workers is more, there are possibilities to have issue
in managing all of them under a limited number of managers. Therefore, in case of cited
enterprise also this structure was helpful as it had limited number of members in a team.
Power struggle: As mentioned earlier, this type of structure gives enough freedom to its members
for making decisions. Thus, there is a less interference of CEO and other top level managers in
the functions, which sometime may lead to have confusions and struggle between all employees
for attaining the power (Damanpour and Aravind, 2012).
Difficulty in retaining workers: Those workers who are more ambitious and search for their
growth and development in their positions may find it difficult to satisfy themselves from job in
such a set up. Thus, they eventually end up in finding any new job for themselves so that they
can get better wages and get good growth opportunities.
Less motivation: The flat organizational structure remains to a limited ends, because of which
the workers who want their development and promotion have little room for that. Thus, it often
results into less satisfaction thus, they get less motivation regarding the promotion and growth
within firm (Drucker, 2013).
Role confusion: The employees may feel some confusion related to their roles and
responsibilities. Many times, it is found that the there are more number of workers at same level
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of organizational structure, due to which some of the workers may get confused regarding their
role within the business. Moreover, all of them are allotted with almost similar work and tasks,
thus, they have confusion related to their roles within business.
Thus, as per the above discussion over organizational structure, the Walt Disney
company has flat structure according to which they have got enough success. The company
manages their different works for various business segments by making team members for each
team. As per this limited and small structure of team, they get themselves easily managed and
use to work by discussing over their ideas and suggestions (Ekinsmyth, 2013). Accordingly, the
organization has adopted the participative leadership style to give employees enough opportunity
to make decisions.
CONCLUSION
The above report has discussed about the leading way of organization through adoption
of different methods that has helped the companies to attain inevitable success. As per the report,
case of Walt Disney Company has been chosen according to which it has been found that the
said enterprise has adopted different leadership approaches so as to provide the company with an
ideal way of managing. As per the case it has been found that the cited firm has applied several
motivational techniques which were innovative and worthy to attain the intended results. In
addition to this, the organizational structure of Walt Disney has been discussed with a justified
explanation according to which the firm runs different operations within workplace. The fiorm
has adopted participative leadership style as well.
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