---
title: Unlock the Magic | Donnelly Effect
description: In his debut book, Mike Donnelly highlights key strategies to unlock the magic in your organization from his years as a leader at the Walt Disney Company
image: https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-11%20at%209.21.11%20AM.png
---

[![Donnelly-Group_Logo](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hubfs/Donnelly-Group_Logo.png "Donnelly-Group_Logo")](https://www.donnellyeffect.com)

[(410) 212-4471](tel:4102124471)

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/donnelly-effect/)
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/donnellyeffect)

- About 
    - [About Us](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us)
    - [What We Do](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-what-we-do)
    - [Who We Serve](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-who-we-serve)
    - [Our Executive Team](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/our-executive-team)
    - [Our Story](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-our-story)
- Training 
    - [Signature Service Programs](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs) 
          - [Kickstart](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs-kickstart)
          - [Impact](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs-impact)
          - [Ignite](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs-ignite)
    - [Training Types](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types) 
          - [Executive Leadership](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types-executive-leadership-development-workshops)
          - [Managers & Supervisors](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types-manager-supervisor-training-workshops)
          - [Front-Line Employees](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types-front-line-employee-development-training)
    - [Training Topics](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-topics) 
          - [Customer Service](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/customer-service-training)
          - [Leadership](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/leadership-training)
          - [People Management](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/people-management-training)
          - [Service Culture](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/service-culture-training)
          - [Talent Selection & Hiring](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/talent-selection-hiring-training)
          - [Employee Onboarding](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/employee-onboarding-training)
    - [Training Delivery Methods](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-delivery-methods)
- [Keynote Speaking](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/keynote-speaking)
- Resources 
    - [SPARKS! Blog](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/sparks-blog)
    - [Our Book: Unlock the Magic](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/unlock-the-magic)
- [Book a Consultation](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/contact-us-donnelly-effect)

![Unlock the Magic Book_Donnelly Effect](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Unlock%20the%20Magic%20Book_Donnelly%20Effect.jpg?width=1920&name=Unlock%20the%20Magic%20Book_Donnelly%20Effect.jpg "Unlock the Magic Book_Donnelly Effect")

### Unlock The Magic

The debut book by Mike Donnelly highlighting the lessons he learned at the Walt Disney Company

### Unlock The Magic

**50 key strategies to unlock the magic in your organization from my years as a leader at the Walt Disney Company**©

*Unlock the Magic highlights the lessons [Michael J. Donnelly](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/home/about/mike-donnelly-disney-institute-keynote-speaker-highest-rated-best-top) learned over a decades-long career at the Walt Disney Co.*

From his first day as a Disney cast member, Michael J. Donnelly had a frontline seat on delivering a customer service experience that turns customers into loyal fans and advocates. Whether he was working as an attractions and guest relations host, hiring new cast members, or leading frontline cast members at different Disney resorts, the author learned key business strategies that differentiate the Disney experience—for customers and employees alike. The greatest leaders in the world—religious, corporate, political, familial, or educational—capture the hearts and minds of their audience through well-crafted and strategic stories. They also develop fresh, new language to communicate with customers and employees in meaningful ways. Build engaged teams, stand out from competitors, and implement effective change throughout your organization by unlocking the magic.

**Price: $16.90 **

[![Unlock the Magic_3D book image L-3](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Unlock%20the%20Magic_3D%20book%20image%20L-3.png?width=300&name=Unlock%20the%20Magic_3D%20book%20image%20L-3.png "Unlock the Magic_3D book image L-3")](https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/michael-j-donnelly/unlock-the-magic-50-key-strategies-to-unlock-the-magic-in-your-organization-from-my-years-as-a-leader-at-the-walt-disney-company/ebook/product-1p72vqgv.html)

[Buy Now!](https://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-j-donnelly/unlock-the-magic-50-key-strategies-to-unlock-the-magic-in-your-organization-from-my-years-as-a-leader-at-the-walt-disney-company/ebook/product-1p72vqgv.html?hsCtaTracking=8ceba83f-c058-4571-94c1-04f6bbea79a8%7C59ac7eef-e766-4b0d-8f0b-5bdbaeb25740)

![Screen Shot 2020-03-11 at 9.21.11 AM](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-11%20at%209.21.11%20AM.png?width=1078&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-03-11%20at%209.21.11%20AM.png "Screen Shot 2020-03-11 at 9.21.11 AM")

### Unlocking the MAGIC with the community at the book launch!

<https://youtu.be/ds0YirJyg7U>

### \[PREVIEW\] BOOK PREFACE: A Note From Mike...

*It was 8:58 a.m. on a cool Florida morning in January, and I was about to be late for my first day of work at the Walt Disney Company. Thankfully, I found a rare parking spot up front, set the brake on my four-speed Chevy Chevette, and began a quick jog toward the building. I was a typical eighteen-year-old on an adventure trying to figure out life. Little did I know that this day would change the course of my life forever.*

*Unlock the Magic is all about the lessons that I began to learn on that very first day of work as a Disney cast member. I have learned and grown from my thirty-plus-year affiliation with the Walt Disney Company, and I am grateful to the entire Disney organization for their partnership. Over the years, I have had the privilege to work in the Disney parks as an attractions and guest relations host. I have hired new cast members as a casting employment interviewer, and I have led frontline cast members at three different Disney resorts. In each of those positions, I have taken away key leadership strategies that I feel truly differentiate the Disney guest experience.*

*This book lays out the most impactful of those strategies though my eyes in “Key Takeaways” at the end of each section. My hope for the reader? To inspire action. To adapt and implement any strategy that they find valuable for their organization. To do something different as a result of reading this book. Because as a senior Disney leader once told me, “Mike, one thing is for sure: if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting.” To the extent that you find value, make these strategies your own. In fact, I have laid out the book with room for you to make notes and rank your implementation excitement by circling a number from 1 to 5, where 5 means “We should do this yesterday!” and 1 means “Maybe we should consider this in the future” or “we already do this well.” In the end, the goal is to have a marked-up, customized workbook full of valuable, actionable strategies for your organization.*

*All the best to you and your organization. Carpe diem!*

*Michael J. Donnelly*

#### Contact Us Today!

###### [EMAIL US](mailto:mike@donnellyeffect.com)

to learn more or share the needs of your organization to see how the Donnelly Group can help.

###### [GIVE US A CALL!](tel:4102124471)

###### [(410) 212-4471](tel:4102124471)

to chat, ask questions about how the Donnelly Group can help, or just to say hello!

[Book a Consultation](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/contact-us-donnelly-effect)

![Donnelly Group_Logo-2](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Donnelly%20Group_Logo-2.png?width=200&height=71&name=Donnelly%20Group_Logo-2.png "Donnelly Group_Logo-2")

Creating customer loyalty by preparing people to work happy.

- Annapolis, MD
- [(410) 212-4471](http://#)
- [mike@donnellyeffect.com](mailto:mike@donnellyeffect.com)

- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/DonnellyEffect)
- [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/donnelly-effect/)

#### Explore

- [What We Do](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-what-we-do)
- [Who We Serve](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/about-us-who-we-serve)
- [Signature Service Programs](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/signature-service-programs)
- [Training Types](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-types)
- [Training Topics](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/training-topics)
- [Speaking](https://www.donnellyeffect.com/keynote-speaking)

#### About Us

Applying decades of Disney professional development & leadership experience, we help destination locations create customer loyalty by preparing their people to WORK HAPPY.

#### Recent SPARKS! Blog Posts

© Copyright 2022 | All Rights Reserved | The Donnelly Group