Discussion Thread: Dennis Hightower and Disney Europe
● How prepared and qualified do you think Hightower was to take on this challenge? Give
specifics.
Despite the skepticism around him, Dennis Hightower stepped up to the challenge of vice
president of European and Middle Eastern consumer products. During the discussion for the
appointment of the new position, the current foreign market managers identified the type of
person they wanted to lead the way for Disney consumer products. In particular they wanted an
American who could better relate to Disney to fill the position. Someone who would bring a
different and new direction to the brand. Hightower’s experience coming into this role was not
ideal but diverse enough to inspire the managers to offer him the position. I believe Hightower’s
overall image combined with his background qualifies him for the role but does not prepare him
for the tasks ahead as Vice President. Hightower was aware that he was an outsider, there
would be those who oppose his new appointment as vice president. Despite the assured
coming obstacles in his way, he pushed forward with utmost confidence. As Hightower
contemplated his newly created job, he thought wryly to himself, “If you don’t
know where you are going, any road will take you there!” (Heinz, 2020). This quote shows his
strong determination and perseverance to lead the European Disney brand in the right direction.
● How was Disney Europe organized before Hightower?
Europe was the first location outside of the United States for marketing Disney consumer
products (Heinz, 2020). Walt Disney started out with his first foreign manager in France. This
action was followed up by the hiring of seven additional foreign managers in seven notable
countries in Europe. Underneath these eight ancillary branches controlled 26 markets and were
composed of 102 employees. The foreign branches reported directly to the Disney
Headquarters in Burbank, California.
● What steps would you take to assess the current condition of the various European
units?
First I would conduct a SWOT analysis of the current status of each European unit. Upon
discovering their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for growth, and threats I would then need
to focus on developing their weaker areas utilizing the data and feedback I received from my
analysis.
● What approach would you use to bring about the changes to the European operation?
If a leadership transition succeeds, the leader’s company will probably be successful over
several years. Successful transitions result in higher likelihood that teams will meet their 3-year
performance goals and lower attrition risk. There are five areas a leader should think about
when transitioning: business function, company culture, the team, personal introspection, and
stakeholders. I feel like These five dimensions embody the full scope of what a newly appointed
executive leader might face on the job.
● What issues do you anticipate in the process and how would you mitigate them?
I would expect skepticism from my unit managers in the early stages of this transition. Even in
the Bible, Jesus was faced with doubters, individuals who had lost faith in his methods and thus
lost faith in Jesus. For example, John the Baptist. Near the end of his time when he was
imprisoned by Herod he sent his disciples to ask Jesus who would free him. Jesus replied, “Go
back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those
who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is
proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matthew
11:2-6) Jesus went on further to acknowledge John as an accomplished prophet and
messenger. In this moment where he was doubted, he still showed patience and understanding
for John and provided proof of his miracles. I would model this same strategy for my unit
managers: have patience with their doubts and prove my credibility with results.
● How would you inspire critical thinking among the unit managers?
I would implement training workshops inspired by the concept of “Design Jams”. Design Jams
are intensive design workshops, usually 48 hours in length, during which a diverse group of
individuals co-design product and service solutions to global challenges, which could be social,
economic or environmental in nature. Design can be described as a creative process during
which something new or novel is conceptualised (Henriksen, Richardson & Mehta, 2017) (Tang,
Eriksson, 2020). With these reinvented Design Jams I would inspire team collaboration, positive
interdependence, and cooperate learning through creative interactions (Tang, Eriksson, 2020).
References
(2020). Leading Organizational Change. McGraw-Hill Create.
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781307616309
Manning, E. (2019, August 14). There are two kinds of skeptics. Jesus demonstrated how to
deal with both types. Is Jesus Alive? Retrieved November 26, 2021, from
https://isjesusalive.com/wwjd-how-did-jesus-deal-with-skeptics/.
Tang, T., & Eriksson, V. (2020). Developing critical thinking, collective creativity skills ...
White Rose Research Online. Retrieved November 26, 2021, from
https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/165265/1/Jam__TSC_TT.pdf.
Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Bible gateway passage: Matthew 11:2-6 - new
international version. Bible Gateway. Retrieved November 26, 2021, from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A2-6&version=NIV.
