Career Magic: How to Stay on Track to Achieve a Stellar Career

by Lee Cockerell

From a dusty farm to becoming the senior operations executive for the Walt Disney World Resort, Lee Cockerell’s career journey demonstrates how anyone can have a successful career—no matter the obstacles!  Within Career Magic , readers will find Lee Cockerell’s story, colored with the lessons he learned during his magical and successful career with Hilton, Marriott and Disney. Lee’s focus on self-education, experience and exposure to the world teaches how motivated individuals can achieve their dreams, with or without a college degree.  Lee believes that it’s never too late to get started. Throughout Career Magic , he outlines management and leadership lessons from the best customer service organizations in the world. His approach explains how to overcome career obstacles and avoid future setbacks by embracing the power of self-reliance and risk-taking. 

Genres: Business, Leadership, Psychology

306 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2022

Reviews

[Andrew Broere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Honestly, I struggled a bit with the editing of this book (several awkward sentences/paragraphs and thoughts out of the blue) but it was like hearing Lee speak.

I’ve highlighted so many quotes and now need to get them on notecards. I am finding that Lee has go-to quotes and phrases (great leaders do!) and I must develop my own as well.

This book is a tremendous encouragement for those who are struggling through some murky moments of their career. Lee’s ups and downs are valuable because he learned from them, and he shares the lessons so we can learn the easy way.

[Joe Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee Cockerell’s Career Magic is an inspiring and insightful guide for anyone looking to take control of their professional journey. Drawing from his own experiences—rising from a farm boy to an executive at Disney—Cockerell shares valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of taking initiative.

One of the book’s most impactful messages is the importance of perseverance: “Adversity is a terrible thing to waste.” Cockerell doesn’t shy away from discussing setbacks, but instead, he reframes them as opportunities for growth. He also highlights the importance of attitude and self-development: “Your career is not your employer’s responsibility—it’s yours.”

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your career, Career Magic offers practical advice and real-world wisdom that will keep you motivated and on the right path. A must-read for anyone serious about professional growth!

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read though having read his first book on leadership, some of the stories seemed a little repetitive. Still plan on reading his other two books sometime. Great reminders on how to stay focused throughout the roller coaster and keep the big picture of your reputation in mind.

[Jacinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of his that I have read, the first being about Time Management. Lee is a strong storyteller and uses his own experiences to offer countless pieces of advice in order to grow your career. This one gets 5 stars from me :)

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening to Lee's story and how he has advice pertaining to each life and career event that happens. Great read!

[Daryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time-Worthy

Part-autobiography and part-leadership guide. Practical tips on how to live life and be a good leader. Teaches that life lessons work in the business world, and vice-versa.