VFD Member's Links #6

Succession is not a Disney property.

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There is no drug more addictive and more potent than what they snort in the upper echelons of the C-Suite. Ask Bob Iger. The on-again off-again Disney King has axed his replacement to become CEO of Disney for the second time in his life (most of us struggle to reach half those numbers). A true high achiever.

Which is not to say Bob doesn’t know what he’s doing. Perhaps it means he knows what he’s doing a little too much. When a nation only feels capable with a particular citizen on the throne, you’re not dealing with a Nation any more. Is any of that good? I’m not too sure. But it feels good to kickstart another Cult of Personality. Memento Mori. Corporations are people, too.

The man has about as much influence over the folks at Walt Disney as the cold and frozen body of the company’s namesake. There’s plenty of chatter about his power and insight – and he’s played the right cards to back it all up. But now the baby he brought into the world has made Wall Street all tied up and lame. Streaming? Maybe a few years ago. But we’ve had a pandemic since then, Bob. Where the hell were you? Part of leadership is leaving home, too. Succession… not a Disney property anyway.

Ah well – no sympathy from me for Chapek. That’s a Bad Day In The Office we’d all be lucky to have. Especially after a brand new contract was only sealed and delivered a few months prior. Enjoy Tahiti; go for a swim. You’ll land on your feet.

Well, let’s get into it then…