# From Junior Disney Employee to CEO: The Unconventional Career Advice That Shaped a Leader How rewriting the CEO's op-ed launched Josh Simon's career and his advice for Gen Z professionals. - **Source:** [Fortune](https://fortune.com) - **Published:** 2026-09-29 - **Topic:** [Leadership](https://brifing.si/c/leadership) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/83573cd7-4a0e-4be7-971e-7d338ba707db ## The bold edit that changed everything As Disney's most junior employee in the early 2000s, Josh Simon took the extraordinary step of completely rewriting CEO Michael Eisner's op-ed when asked for feedback. This unexpected move from the Harvard Crimson alum didn't backfire - instead it initiated a lasting professional relationship with one of media's most powerful executives. Simon's willingness to contribute beyond his pay grade demonstrated the value of initiative in corporate environments. ## From $300M Funko to Disney roots Simon's current role as CEO of Funko, the pop-culture collectibles company valued at $300 million, builds on lessons from working under three iconic CEOs: Eisner at Disney, Mark Parker at Nike, and Ted Sarandos at Netflix. Each leader shared a common trait - deep passion for their products and customers. Parker sketched sneakers in meetings, Sarandos was a film obsessive, and Eisner personally reviewed Disney scripts late into his tenure. ## Turning around a struggling brand When Simon joined Funko in September 2025, the company faced declining sales (down 22% YoY), excess inventory, tariff issues, and debt concerns. His leadership has driven a 35% stock increase and 7% sales growth, particularly in Europe (20% growth). The turnaround involved applying lessons from his mentors while evolving Funko beyond licensed products into a pop culture engagement platform. ## KPop demonstrates new strategy Simon's vision for Funko manifested when the company quickly capitalized on the KPop Demon Hunters trend, creating a product line that accounted for 7% of Q1 2026 net sales. This responsiveness to cultural moments reflects Simon's belief that Funko should be a 'canvas for fans' rather than just a collectibles manufacturer. ## The permission paradox Simon's key career advice contradicts conventional wisdom: 'Don't really ask for permission.' He advocates finding niche opportunities to contribute beyond assigned responsibilities. However, this approach requires thoughtful selection of value-added initiatives rather than random extra work. His Disney experience proved that strategic over-delivery can create career-defining relationships. ## Mastery before expansion While encouraging initiative, Simon stresses that young professionals must first become exceptional at their core responsibilities. He describes his early Disney days as a '24/7, all-nighter culture' where mastering fundamentals was crucial. Only after establishing this foundation should employees look for ways to expand their impact beyond formal job descriptions. ## Three CEO mentors, one common lesson From Eisner, Parker, and Sarandos, Simon learned that transformative leadership combines deep industry knowledge with authentic passion. Eisner's hands-on film involvement, Parker's designer roots, and Sarandos' video store background informed their leadership styles. Simon now applies this principle at Funko, believing passionate leadership inspires both products and teams. ## Redefining career advancement Simon's trajectory from op-ed editor to CEO challenges traditional career ladder assumptions. His story demonstrates that strategic initiative often outweighs strict hierarchy adherence. For Gen Z professionals, the lesson is clear: exceptional performance combined with well-chosen extra contributions can accelerate careers in unexpected ways. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/09/29/funko-ceo-josh-simon-first-job-at-disney-career-lesson-for-gen-z-dont-ask-for-permission-experience-at-nike-netflix/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._