How Bob Iger Built an Empire
And what we can learn from it.
In late February, news broke that Bob Iger, the beloved CEO and leader of The Walt Disney Company, would be stepping down from his position. As Iger stated, “With the successful launch of Disney’s direct-to-consumer businesses and the integration of Twenty-First Century Fox well underway, I believe this is the optimal time to transition to a new CEO.”
Iger wasn’t merely an ordinary CEO. He was one of the most successful leaders in the history of the business. He transformed Disney from a powerhouse to an unsurmountable empire, a company with no equal on earth.
How did he do it? Let’s take a look at the lessons Iger’s life offers.
Hard work always pays off
Iger likely never imagined that he would one day become the CEO of Disney. The future CEO grew up in New York City, graduating from Ithaca College with a degree in television and radio. Although the young graduate possessed a love for learning and a passion for the entertainment industry, there was nothing in Iger’s past that spelt a future career as the CEO of Disney.
Iger found a low-paying job at the American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), working menial jobs for $150 per week. Unlike most of his colleagues, who graduated from Ivy League schools…
