Using Stories to Teach Lessons
“Legacy isn’t built on titles. It’s built on how you show up every day.”
Curiosity and humility matter more than fancy titles. That was the overall takeaway after Matthew Miller and I had dinner with a couple of legends who’ve shaped themed entertainment. The table was full of people that are well versed sharing lessons from a stage or in a corporate boardroom. This time, it was ten people around a table at one of my favorite Orlando restaurants, Brother Jimmy’s. It was a night passing plates and swapping stories. That setting seemed to make the lessons even bigger.
Matthew shared with me how he noticed the little things throughout the meal. While others admired the big stories Bob Weiss and Rick Allen shared, Matthew paid attention to the details that revealed the heart behind the stories. Like when Bob personally handed every guest their signed copy of Dream Chasing. Matthew saw the intention he put into that seemingly simple action. A leader at the top of his field taking the extra step to make someone feel seen.
It reminded me of a moment early in my career. I once watched a senior leader stop a meeting cold to help a custodian carry equipment down a hallway. No announcement. No spotlight. Just quiet leadership. I never forgot it. Matthew’s reflections echoed that same truth that the small moments become the stories people remember.
The evening also brough up an interesting conversation on legacy. Rick Allen’s family history at Disney is built on decades of showing up, helping, and caring. The titles just seemed to be part of their role. It was never an identity. They were building a legacy each day. It’s happening right now for all of us, one choice at a time.
And then there was the lesson about speaking up. Matthew recalls a story where an intern questioned whether boxes he was told to shred might be important. They ended up containing historic drawings. One person that thought they didn’t have much of a voice ended up being heard and making a huge impact. That only happens in environments where leaders stay close enough to hear it.
As you go through your week, pay attention to the little moments. They might be telling a bigger story than you think.
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Notable Moments
00:05:41 — The quiet impact of a leader’s personal touch
00:13:21 — How everyday actions shape your legacy
00:17:13 — Why speaking up can save something important
00:18:31 — Leadership defined by attention to the small things
Some of the best lessons come from watching how great leaders treat people when no one’s looking. This conversation with Matthew Miller shows us why the seemingly little moments matter most. Jody Maberry and Matthew Miller recount a private dinner with industry legends and how their lessons apply to any field. More evidence that meaningful stories, small moments, and humble leadership shape culture.
