Over the past four-plus decades I have probably seen “The Wizard Of Oz” no less than twenty-five times.  But watching the movie recently, I realized for the first time that there are profound similarities between the leadership style of Dorothy Gale of Kansas and the characteristics of sound leadership identified in countless business books by leading authorities. So what can we learn from a teen-ager in pigtails?

Dorothy Was Clear

Dorothy knew her objective and was perfectly clear on what her vision was: “I want to go home”. Dorothy was not only succinct on where she was going, she understood the steps she should take to get there: go to the Emerald City and ask the Wizard of Oz for help. Leaders must have a vision that burns. They must be crystal clear to themselves and their team as to what the final destination is and the first steps required to achieve their objective. Marcus Buckingham in The One Thing You Need to Know says this: “Effective leaders don’t have to be passionate. They don’t have to be charming. They don’t have to be brilliant. They don’t have to possess the common touch. They don’t have to be great speakers. What they must be is clear. Above all else, they must never forget the truth that of all the human universals – our need for security, our need for community, for clarity, for authority, and for respect – our need for clarity, when met, is the most likely to engender in us confidence, persistence, resilience, and creativity.”

Dorothy Built a Network

The Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion were a valuable network for Dorothy on her journey. She would not have been successful without them. They were diverse; they had strengths (and weaknesses) that augmented one other; and as a whole, they were a formidable force. Steven Sample in The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership said this: “A primary challenge for any leader is to surround himself with people whose skills make up for his own shortcomings. This is much easier said than done, because most leaders are more comfortable being surrounded by people who are similar to the leader himself. In particular, it is seductively easy for an entrenched leader to choose and retain only lieutenants who always agree with him and never seriously resist his initiatives. But the long-term success of any organization demands that the leader NOT surround himself with yes-men and sycophants.” No one wins the game alone, and the “yellow brick road” is sometimes long and hard; you must build a strong, loyal network and the leader must treasure them and look out for their interests, as well – just as Dorothy did for her team. 

Dorothy Was Optimistic

Strong leaders have to know there is a better tomorrow and Dorothy sung it with all her heart in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” (Did you know that song almost got cut from the movie because the lyricists didn’t think “it worked”? Sure glad someone overruled them!) Optimism is not to be confused with seeing things through rose-colored glasses. Marcus Buckingham in The One Thing You Need to Know says this: “Being optimistic doesn’t mean having a sunny disposition – it means that you see and feel the future very clearly. You believe. Nothing can undermine their faith in the future. This doesn’t mean that the best leaders are wide-eyed dreamers, delusional about or dismissive of present realities. On the contrary, the best leaders are markedly clear-eyed when it comes to assessing the challenges of the present. It simply means that, despite their realistic assessment of the present challenges, they nonetheless believe that they have what it takes to overcome these challenges and forge ahead.”

Dorothy Didn’t Shy from a Confrontation

Dorothy stood up for herself, whether to Miss Gulch when she threatened to take Toto away, or to the Wizard when he began to back-pedal on his promise – Dorothy firmly stood her ground. She was most effective at communicating her expectations and disappointments. She didn’t shy away from confrontation. But Dorothy was never rude. On the contrary, she was polite, but firm and responsible with her words. In addition, Dorothy wasn’t going to be intimidated or victimized by those who suffered from self-esteem issues! You will not make everyone happy and you cannot expect to always make friends of those you work with or who work for you. In Play Like A Man, Win Like A Woman, Gail Evans says, “your job is to do your job”. And sometimes that means not being popular but direct.

Dorothy Stayed Focused

Munchkins, flying monkeys, the Wicked Witch of the West, and more demands from the Wizard were all just flashing “scenes” to Dorothy. She stayed focused on her vision and refused to let anyone or anything distract her from success. Dorothy didn’t try to do too many things at once. She knew her mission and stayed laser focused. There’s a great story in the Old Testament Bible about a man named Nehemiah, who was a fabulous leader: Nehemiah was called by God to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. But his opposition – Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem – were determined to undermine him. Regardless of their schemes, Nehemiah stayed focused and when they tried to get him to come to them for a meeting of “negotiation”, Nehemiah told them, “I’m doing a great work and I can’t come down.” Dorothy stayed focused. She didn’t get distracted by the opposition.

Dorothy Sought Counsel

Like all leaders, Dorothy didn’t have all the answers. In addition to her network, Dorothy relied on Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard to provide guidance. Standing in her Ruby Slippers, Dorothy was too close to the problem to see the solution. Sometimes an objective third party is all we need to help us see the big picture more clearly. Steven Sample, in The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership, paraphrased the philosopher Eric Hoffer: “a leader should pay close attention to experts but never take them too seriously, and never ever trust them completely.” Dorothy knew to listen to her wise counsel but to follow her heart.

Dorothy Asked

You can’t get what you want by hinting. Twelve-year-old Dorothy knew that she had to clearly articulate what she wanted of the Wizard if she was going to rely on him to assist her in meeting her objective. In the book, Play Like A Man, Win Like A Woman, Gail Evans says: “To put it bluntly, asking is the only way to get what you want. Women hint. Men ask. Stop hinting. Women have acculturated to believe that no means NO! and so often won't make a request if we think we're going to get a negative answer. To a man, however, no suggests a range of possibilities: no, maybe, or later. The problem: Because you're afraid of being rejected, you never ask for what you want.” I’m sure Dorothy was afraid of being told no…but that didn’t stop her. She asked.

Dorothy Had a Sponsor

The Wizard was not willing to see Dorothy until he learned that she was the “Witch’s Dorothy”. So often, getting your foot in the door is not about what you know but who you know. It’s critical to have a solid reputation and sponsors who can vouch for your character. Strong leaders don’t burn bridges – they value those who have helped them along the way and in turn, these individuals are often called on to provide references or introductions. Your reputation is your brand. Never underestimate the importance of your reputation. Someday, it might be all you have.

Dorothy Didn’t Freeze

Everyone is afraid of something, and Dorothy is fearful many times throughout the movie… “Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my!” but she never freezes and she never gives up. Dorothy doesn’t let fear become her life theme. She stays positive in the face of adversity and fights through the challenges. Leaders will at times be fearful but must have the courage to battle on. In If You’re Going To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg says, “If fear only happened when it was truly needed – when you are about to be struck by a truck or chased by a homicidal maniac – it would be nothing to worry about. The problem is that for most of us, fear strikes when it is neither helpful nor wanted. It can get attached to what does not truly threaten us and can become paralyzing instead of motivating.” Dorothy didn’t freeze – she persevered with courage.

Dorothy Had Her Priorities Right

Before Dorothy left for Kansas, Glinda the Good Witch asked Dorothy what she had learned. Her response: “that your heart’s desire is no further than your own backyard. There’s no place like home.” Dorothy’s journey gave her insight and a renewed commitment to her priorities. Fame and fortune are fleeting and when leaders forget the big picture and make it all about them or the money – instead of all about their family or their collective mission – they usually miss the mark altogether. Sooner or later, misplaced priorities take their toll on the organization and the leader.   

And lastly, Dorothy Learned the Power of Cool Shoes

Not at first, but before the end of the movie Dorothy understands the power of awesome shoes. Our Ruby Slippers may not take us home to Kansas but they can sure give a gal confidence when she walks in the client meeting looking like a million damn dollars! Never underestimate the confidence you gain when you look like success. I heard it said once that when a man enters the room everyone listens; when a woman enters the room everyone looks…then listens. Girlfriends – put on your Ruby Slippers – and feel the power of cool shoes. Yes, they’ll look AND they’ll listen!

Ellen is the Chief Inspiration Officer for Symmetry Network and can be reached at ellenm@symmetrynet.com