In a “new normal” of social distancing and remote working, mentoring just needs to be reimagined.

That was the message Dan Cockerell, a 27-year Disney veteran and former vice president of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida, gave at NAVAIR’s virtual National Mentoring Month event Jan. 26, urging employees to check in with their peers virtually and keep an open mind.

“Have more intent to be more purposeful to connect with people,” he advised. “It’s not the easiest world to work in, but it’s how you respond to it. It’s your mindset – thrive or survive.”

Cockerell, who began his Disney career parking cars and later moved up the ranks to manage 12,000 people across multiple business segments/areas, knows well the importance of thriving no matter what life throws at you and learning from whomever you come across.

“Everyone you meet has something to teach you if you’re willing to have an open mind,” he said. “We have opportunities every day to learn.”

During one of his first jobs in Disneyland Paris in 1989, a Disney vice president made a surprise visit to the parking area and noticed the messy dashboard of a van Cockerell was driving. He told Cockerell to clean up the dashboard so guests would have a good first impression of the park. A week later, the vice president called to thank Cockerell for the small cleanup.

“That stuck with me for decades; he coached me, then followed up with me,” Cockerell said. “Inspect what you expect. Trust and verify, and your reputation will go up as someone who is detail oriented and follows through. Pay attention every day – people are teaching you something every day.”

Cockerell’s first – and most lasting – mentors were his parents who, he said gave him advice and the options to choose his own path.

With that mindset, he said he has always tried to align himself with mentors who are honest, hardworking and share his values. “Find people you want to emulate, people with the right reputations,” he advised. Once you find a potential mentor, you must prepare.

“Go in to that room with what you want out of the conversation and relationship,” he said. “Be sincere and genuine in your questions.”

Mentees should also ask their bosses for feedback and see the mentoring relationship as a two-way street. As for mentors, Cockerell says they play a facilitator role, imparting their personal experiences, specific skills, insights, recommended readings, and connecting them with others in their personal networks to help their mentees grow into strong leaders.

After years of heeding the suggestions of his mentors, Cockerell said it’s time for him to pay it forward.

“Hundreds of people have helped me in my career. Now it’s my turn, and soon it will be your turn. Find a way to pass on and leave a little bit of your legacy to someone else,” he said.

Mentoring is a key component of NAVAIR’s career development program, NAVAIR’s Command Operations Director, Malyna Geiger, explained in opening remarks. “It’s the giving of one self, your time, your energy, to build up those around you. Mentoring stitches us together as a community,” she said.

Each year, NAVAIR recognizes outstanding employees from across the command who best exemplify the qualities and character of a mentor. The 55 nominees and 10 winners of the national award, listed below, were recognized at the event.  

• NAVAIR Headquarters: Marci Spiotta
• NAWCAD Patuxent River: Eric Fallabel
• COMFRC: Brad Hierstetter
• NAWCAD Lakehurst: William Leach
• FRCSE Jacksonville: Joshua Dowler
• FRCE Cherry Point: Eric Jackson
• NAWCWD China Lake: John Johnson
• NAWCWD Point Mugu: Daryl Jue
• FRCSW North Island: Ron Pangilinan
• NAWCTSD Orlando: Kimberly Tan

Established in 2007, NAVAIR’s Mentoring Program provides a flexible, dynamic, cross-functional approach to forming mentoring partnerships. The program offers resources, a guidebook, training, events such as speed and group mentoring, and the online iMentor tool to match mentors with mentees.

To hear more from Cockerell, download the NAVAIR podcast, “Mentorship and Professional Development in a Remote Work Environment,” from iTunes, Google Play or Spotify.

Mentoring Month is a campaign held each January to promote mentoring in the U.S. For more information about NAVAIR’s career development programs, visit https://jobs.navair.navy.mil/training.