Dana White

I attribute my success to several key principles that guide everything I do. First, I approach my work with humility and curiosity. One of my favorite producers told me early on, whatever you do, don't attack somebody's ego, because we've all got one. I believe in checking your ego at the door - actually, leave it in the car, leave it at home. I approach the work with humility and openness to learning. Second, I believe deeply in collaboration and building trust. When we succeed, we celebrate together, and if we miss the mark, we miss it together. There's no throwing someone under the bus. I always say to my team, this is what I'm hearing you say, and how can I help? Third, I've had incredible mentors and support internally and externally throughout my journey. My mom, Pat, loved me through change and never diminished my aspirations, even when I wanted to be a performer while my sisters became engineers, teachers, and doctors. My husband Eric has been a huge rock in my life, preparing warm meals when I'm staying late and supporting me every step of the way. Finally, I live by the motto 'leave it better than you found it' - whether it's a conversation, a meeting, or a challenging situation. I focus on being solution-based, setting clear milestones and timelines, and making sure we walk out of meetings knowing what we're trying to solve for.

The best career advice I've ever received came from a global leadership summit I attend every year. This one nugget has been with me for at least 10 years: Watch how others treat others that they think they don't need. It's so deep and powerful. You see it at socials where people are talking to you, then someone they think is more important walks in and suddenly they want to be seen with that person instead. Be where your feet are. If you're talking to someone, they're the most important person right then. I promise you, we all need each other at some point. This advice reminds me to be present, to value every person regardless of their role or title, and to remember that everyone has something to bring to the table. At the end of the day, I don't care about anything except that people be kind - just basic exchange of pleasantries. Hold the elevator, open the door, smile. Just be kind.

Approach your work with humility and courage and ensure you have a well-thought strategy that supports success and sustainment. Remember that we're all creative, every single one of us. Some people just have designated roles, but a great idea can come from anywhere. Don't attack somebody's ego, because we've all got one. Don't forget to laugh. Laugh at yourself. Let others learn from your mistakes. Be the paver of the way. Don't take yourself too seriously. We're all human. Take calculated risks but collaborate. Be one united front, because when we succeed, we celebrate together, and if we miss the mark, we're all in it together. Third, I can't stand meetings where we just talk about the problem. What are we trying to solve for? What do we hope to walk out of the room with? I love a good milestone; I love a good timeline. Be solution-focused. Finally, build relationships with trust and integrity, because it's not a matter of if you fall, it's when. Who's going to be there to lift you up? And remember, it's not a corporate ladder where the rungs just go up. Sometimes you go sideways, sometimes you do a U-turn, sometimes you have to leave an area to get back to an area.

It takes a village, so make sure everyone is represented at the table, whether it's the work of a tech designer, an artist, stage manager, cosmetologist, casting director, choreographer, music director, producer, production manager, etc., nothing gets done in a silo it truly takes every facet of all aspects of Entertainment to have something come to fruition, from ideation/creative to production to the operation and sustainment, it takes all of us.

The values most important to me are trust and integrity, kindness, and being present. I have a saying on my wall in my office: leave it better than you found it. You can apply that to anything - a conversation, a meeting, a mentor-mentee conversation, a really tough challenging situation. That's my goal and aspiration. Trust and integrity are fundamental because when you fall, and it's not a matter of if but when, you need people who will be there to lift you up. I build my teams on this foundation so we can support each other through challenges. Kindness is non-negotiable. At the end of the day, I don't care about anything except that people be kind. Just basic exchange of pleasantries. It doesn't mean we have to be best friends, but hold the elevator, open the door, smile. Just be kind. Finally, being present and grateful matters deeply to me. Life is busy and crazy, but I remind myself to remember what I get to do today. Through our storytelling at Disney, we get to take people on a journey, help them forget about their crazy week, and immerse them in a beautiful, loving, thoughtful place. That's an absolute honor. I also believe strongly in paying it forward and doing my part to make the world a better place, whether through mentorship, scholarships, or supporting those without a voice.