The Wicked

The Wicked

How often do we judge a book by its cover?? I believe we as humans do it more than we would admit.? We judge without knowing the whole story.? We don’t think about the backstory that brought someone to a particular moment in life.

Do you know the backstories of the people who work with you?? Do you know what’s underneath?

I believe a quality of strong leaders is taking an interest in people.? To be curious about human beings.? What do you think??? Is that too simple – too easy?

I have always loved The Wizard of Oz since I was a child.? I looked forward to it being on television once a year to watch and believe it or not I watched it even when the change from the black and white of Kansas to the color of Oz didn’t happen because we had a black and white television.? That will be unimaginable to many who might read this…

Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West scared me even when I knew she was going to make an appearance in a scene.? I wanted to look away but couldn’t.? She was wicked through and through…? Until…? Gregory McGuire wrote a book about the Wicked Witch of the West’s backstory - Wicked.? Then Stephen Schwartz composed a musical version of her backstory – Wicked.? Children will never watch The Wizard of Oz with the same view of the Wicked Witch as bad - like I did - because they will forever be influenced by her backstory.

Talk about bursting a bubble – Glinda’s bubble that is – because maybe Elphaba is not all bad and Glinda is not all good… Follow your yellow brick road and find out about someone you encounter who may be different in many ways than you, but ultimately more the same.

And…

The next time you see a green faced witch from any direction, remember there are different paths everyone takes to get to today, each one is real, each one is true, and none make us truly wicked…

Angie Biersach, BS, MA, CCLS, CFLE, CIMI

Owner, private practice, Certified Child Life Specialist, Family Life Educator, Infant Massage Instructor, menopause specialist coach: Walking alongside women, children & families in the valleys & peaks of Life

3 个月

Great insight and wonder-filled writing Shawn. Also a Wizard of Oz and Wicked fan as well, have you seen the newest on screen version? Thoughts?

Samantha Burgos

Bilingual Masters-Level Academic Life Coach

3 个月

Thanks for sharing this, Shawn. We have opportunities, daily, to get mad, or get curious by the behaviors around us. When we're curious, we build bridges and strengthen understanding. When we get mad, we shut the door, other people, and create divisions- oftentimes because of what is coming up within ourselves. Get curious. Lean into the perspectives of others. What a fun way to highlight this by referencing Wicked. Thank you. ????

Alyse Sandow

Advocate | Leader | Teacher | Director | Beach glass collector

3 个月

I love this perspective!

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