In Frank Baum's 1900 Wonderful Wizard of Oz, our heroine, Dorothy, is swept up by a fierce tornado and later finds herself deposited in the land of Oz, far from her family and home in Kansas. In order to find her way home, Dorothy is advised to seek counsel from the great Wizard of Oz, who is located in the Emerald City which a long journey down the yellow brick road. Along the way, Dorothy meets three traveling companions who agree to accompany her: a Scare Crow, a Tin Man, and a Lion. Each hopes that the Wizard will be able to grant them something they seem to lack: Dorothy-her home, the Scare Crow-a brain, the Tin Man-a heart, and the Lion-courage. Together, they encounter many trials along their journey, including a challenge by the Wizard to return to him with the broom stick of the evil and Wicked Witch of the West.This fantastic children's novel may serve as an allegory for leadership. Like Dorothy, many of us often find ourselves caught up in the storm of our circumstances, and deposited in uncertain territory, seeking the proverbial "way home". Along the way, we need to access the wisdom (brains), compassion (heart), and courage to resist evil, do the right thing(s), and stay on the path, or "yellow brick road". And, as with Dorothy, it can be a great adventure filled with trial and tribulation.
At the end of "Oz", the Scarecrow gets his brain, the Tin Man his heart, the Lion his courage, and Dorothy her home. Upon closer examination, perhaps we notice that each character had these all along. Or, better still, shall we say that we notice that Dorothy possessed these virtues, and the journey served to strengthened them.
As a leader, what do you notice about your own wisdom, heart, and courage?
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