Leadership Lessons From The Wizard of Oz- Part one of a series

Like most of you, I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz. I have incredible memories of my cousins and I being glued to the TV, acting like it was the first time we had ever watched the movie. Whether it was the moment when everything turned from Back and White to Technicolor, the Flying Monkeys, or the Munchkins, there was something almost magical in the air. 

As an adult, I see that The Wizard of Oz sends a vivid message of what it takes to be an effective leader. Let's take a closer look at Dorothy and The Scarecrow.

Dorothy

Unhappy with life, Dorothy dreams of a better place, a place far away from the farm she lives on, somewhere Over the Rainbow. She describes this magical fairytale-like place with rainbows, bluebirds, and lemon drops as a young child would. Like many other children, she believes that anything is possible, and dreams really do come true. I envy the ability to dream big, to see the unimaginable. It's something I've worked on bringing back into my psyche for quite a while. I think it's a shame most of us lose this sense of wonderment and imagination as we age, but it allows Dorothy to be a true visionary.

In addition to being a visionary, Dorothy is results-driven and a team builder. She has grit and determination, is adventuresome, keeps an open mind, and pushes through under the most challenging circumstances. She helps others in troubled times and has empathy for those around her. These qualities guide her actions and allow her to persist.

Along her journey, Dorothy encounters several distractions from the outside world. However, despite these distractions, Dorothy knows she must remain focused on her goal and understands that her journey doesn't have to be one she takes on alone. Instead, she assembles a team that is equally motivated towards getting to Oz. Dorothy's "can-do" attitude is contagious and serves the entire team well, especially in the face of the obstacles and fears that lie ahead. Leaders like Dorothy naturally look for ways around any obstacles that come their way. They value having a team of people who are motivated, passionate, and talented. I am lucky enough to know several "Dorothy's and continually find myself inspired by them.

The Scarecrow 

As Dorothy continues her journey, she quickly befriends the Scarecrow, who has a deep-seated belief that- not only does he not have a brain, but he unable to think for himself.

Towards the end of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy says her goodbye to her friends, but when she gets to the Scarecrow, she embraces him and cries, "I think I'll miss you most of all." Why? Why would she miss him most of all? I believe it's because Dorothy sees the tremendous sacrifices, he'd made to protect her along the way. He was dismembered in the wicked forest, was set on fire by the Wicked Witch of the West, unstuffed by flying monkeys, and had apples thrown at him by the apple trees. The Scarecrow's tenacity and will power are tested continuously, but we see the Scarecrow possess numerous leadership qualities throughout the journey.

The Scarecrow has heart, one that Tin Man lacks and the courage the Cowardly Lion lacks. The Scarecrow motivated the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion to rescue Dorothy from the witch's castle. He refused to let his shortcomings become an excuse for not trying to achieve their intended goal.

Having brains (or business smarts) is the foundation all influential leaders are built upon. It takes work to become smarter, to learn from mistakes and change course when necessary, and an unwavering commitment to consistently develop your skills to those around you. Tap into your inner Scarecrow when challenges arise. Analyze your business, make sacrifices when necessary, and continually keep your eyes on the bigger goal.

As leaders, we are responsible for finding the Scarecrows in our organizations and show them how they contribute by adding value to the overall business- in other words, openly acknowledge their brainpower!

In Closing

In the end, Dorothy and the Scarecrow discovered they already had everything they were searching for- It was inside them all along. Dorothy learned that it was easier to accomplish her goals by building a team of various talents and personalities. She leveraged her team's skills and encouraged them to believe in themselves, allowing them to develop their natural talents.

All of us can achieve personal growth and success. By embracing the journey and not being afraid to challenge ourselves to grow, the lessons learned can stick with you for a lifetime and benefit you and your teams over and over again.

Do you have a favorite movie that's helped you succeed? What life lessons have you learned?