‘If you can dream it, you can do it’: Disney’s Bob Iger leads with grace

He worked for $150 a week, and has since became the boss of one of the world’s most recognisable brands

On any normal day at any one of Walt Disney’s theme parks around the world, you’d be hoping to see Mickey Mouse or hope to grab a selfie with Darth Vader.

But making his way through the crowd is a man who has more universal power.

Bob Iger is an American businessman and the famed CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

He may be a CEO at the top of his game, but his journey began far from Los Angeles, in the corporate world of ABC New York.

Bob Iger started his career in the entertainment industry as a weatherman in Ithaca, New York.

From there, he worked his way up the ladder and held various positions at ABC, including the head of programming.

Iger is a beloved leader of Disney, from employees all the way up to shareholders. His unique but inspiring leadership style has won praise across the board.

His career began at 3am, opening the front door for the lighting guys so they could perfect the studio sets before the actors arrived.

It was a foot in the door and what was needed to do to thrive.

But that optimism, courage and determination to work his way up, quickly paid off.

By 1995, he was the President of ABC Television, where he backed global hits like Twin Peaks and gained the respect of Hollywood, and Wall Street.

In 1996, Iger’s ABC was bought out by the Walt Disney Company. Then, in 1999 he was named the President of Walt Disney International, a job that had fundamental issues.

Luckily, the global entertainment giant was in good hands. As Bob Iger steered the company through some of its most turbulent times.