Disney Firing: A Case Study

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Bob Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, fired Dick Cook, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios. Insiders and outsiders were stunned at the ouster of the 38-year Disney veteran, who began his career as a Monorail operator at Disneyland.

Iger had casually mentioned to Cook that he’d like to have a meeting later in the day. When the meeting occurred, it lasted 10 minutes, and Iger told Cook the company was going in a different direction, which didn’t involve Cook.

After 38 years, any employee deserves more than 10 minutes. He also deserves an explanation as to why he’s being fired. Iger told Cook there were complaints that Cook was too secretive and uncooperative with other divisions. When Cook asked for examples, Iger gave none.

In hindsight, observers say that Cook should have known the end was near. A chasm between Iger and Cook had been widening. Cook had risen from the bottom to the top unlike most Hollywood executives. He was folksy. He also liked to play things close to the vest.

Iger is more prototypical for the high-flying corporate world. He’s described as “controlled, contained, and cerebral.” He also advocated collaboration across Disney’s operating divisions and was peeved at Cook’s “flying-solo” approach.

All the things bothering Iger about Cook are good reasons to fire an employee. No employee is a mind-reader, however, and deserves a heads-up about the problems, a full explanation of the reasons, and the respect earned over almost four decades.

Cook had an employment contract with three years remaining on it. He’ll undoubtedly be paid three years of compensation and perhaps some type severance pay as well. Thus, a lawsuit is unlikely. The point is this isn’t the way to fire an employee. Just because Iger will get away with it doesn’t mean that you will, too.

1. 

   sbcain says:

   September 25, 2009 at 9:10 am

   It’s unfortunate that ego’s have disrupted a business that has always had such an ideal strategic plan and success. Perhaps Iger should be dismissed as well before this cancerous behavior spreads.