Impact Today - Max Impact's motivational leadership newsleader

Who was the true leader in
"The Wizard of Oz"?
Subscriber Forum: In this issue we are answering questions from our readers.

A longtime subscriber, Jeffrey Frankel wrote to us following the December 16
newsletter with this comment and question. "As I was reading how confidence is the key
to business success, I was wondering about this multiple choice question: Who is the true
leader in The Wizard of Oz?

a) The Wizard

b) The Good Witch of the East

c) Dorothy

d) Samuel Goldwyn

Very interesting question! Although the question alludes to there only being one leader, it

would be

very easy to make a case that each of the

choices it was a true leader.

The Wizard was a leader by virtue of avoiding almost all contact with his people, except through the false
façade he created. One could argue his image began when he had first entered Oz. Recognizing the respect
or admiration that people had for him he knew he had to avoid destroying it. Without confidence in his ability
he was left with no other alternative than to avoid contact.

The Good Witch of the East was a leader in that she knew the only way Dorothy would realize the valuable
lessons found along the Yellow Brick Road was through experiential learning. True leaders understand that it
is better for individual to figure something out for themselves. Even the young child who is told that the stove's
burner is hot does not believe it until it had the opportunity to check it out. The Good Witch of the East had a
vision of how the story would end yet realized Dorothy would not share her vision until some learning occurred.

Dorothy became a leader by default. I don't think she wanted to be a leader, but her compassion and
empathy did not allow her to permit perceived character flaws prevent the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, or Tin
Woodsmen from achieving greater potential. She was a visionary leader because she was able to connect
each of the self-proclaimed misfits with the goal.

Samuel Goldwyn led the project to capture the story on film. As with any director he was challenged to
connect his actors with the thoughts and feelings of the characters. He also made it to make sure that the
cameras captured the angles and the editors spliced together the scenes in such a way as to captivate the
audience and carry them along the emotional journey. Leadership was required to motivate the hundreds of
people involved in the making of the film. One cannot deny his leadership ability.