Dorothy’s Way

Habitudes ClassBy: Nate Parker02/25/08

What is Dorothy’s way?

In the Classic story of the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy illustrates a new kind of leader.

She invites her friends on a journey, helps them discover their gifts, encourages them, and walks with them rather than

insisting on being up front. She doesn’t have all the answers but she gets them to

their goal.

1. She invites them on a journey.

Initiates the journey Calls/points out potential growth Shows them the end goal A starter, a visionary

2. She helps them discover their gifts.

Sees past the mistakes and failures Shows them the good inside Helps them become who they were

intended to be

3. She encourages them.

Believes in them Speaks life into them Lifts them up when they are down

4. She walks with them rather than insisting on being up front. Does life with them (In the trenches) More personal Not leading for the attention but because

she cares

5. She doesn’t have all the answers but she gets them to their goal. Isn’t afraid to be wrong Humble when wrong Is more concerned with the people and the

goal than knowing the answers

3 Types of leaders illustrated in the Movie:

1. The Wicked Witch of the West – She has her cronies, but they follow because she forces them to do so. She leads from manipulation or coercion. In fact when she melts in the end, her followers celebrate.

2. The Wizard of Oz – He is the all-powerful leader who leads through intimidation and superiority. He is all-wise and all-powerful—the kind of leader we all tend to imagine is best for the job.

3. Dorothy – She is the unlikely leader who doesn’t have all the answers, but takes her friends on the journey, helping them discover themselves and walks along side them not in front.

Dorothy, a Leader?

At first glance Dorothy doesn’t seem like a leader at all

She doesn’t fit the Stereotype She is on the journey herself She is a seeker Often not knowing what to do Vulnerable

Dorothy the Leader

She was determined to get her team to the wizard

She was armed with resolve Her team didn’t want her to be “the sage

on the stage” They wanted a “guide on the side”

Dorothy vs. the Wizard Oz

We tend to think He is the best kind of leader Many of us avoid leadership because we think a

leader needs to look like the Wizard of Oz We think we need to have all the answers Because we don’t, many of us tend to step down We are all afraid of uncertainty in some way

The Wizard Exposed!

In the end it was all fake He was just putting up a front. He wasn’t “all-powerful and all-knowing” He was just a normal guy NOT some great

leader

Dorothy vs. the Wizard of Oz cont. Dorothy introduces herself to the wizard as

“small and meek” Doesn’t put up a “super confident” front She finds some needy characters Her earnestness, her compassion and her

determination creates a team

The Team

They had the Brains, the heart and the Courage all along

They needed someone to help them see it for themselves

They weren’t protected from all dangers. But they learned passion and determination from their leader

In the end they gave up their own ambitions to help Dorothy

Why should I lead like Dorothy?

Dorothy is the picture of a new kind of leader in our culture today

It was a team effort that got them to their goal No one person was greater than the other. Every one had their gifts and abilities that

strengthened the team Dorothy simply ran point / directed them.

Peter Drucker – Management expert “These “Next Generation” leaders must be

okay with not having all the answers. They must be humble enough to seek wisdom from others, yet courageous enough to act when it’s time.”

“The leader of the past was a person who knew how to tell. The leader of the future will be a person who knows how to ask.”

Qualities of “Next Generation Leaders” Highly Relational Share ownership freely Emotionally secure Empower others

Qualities continued…..

Comfortable with uncertainty Embrace the role of a mentor Listen and foster self-discovery Driven by service more than ego

Some examples of Dorothy’s today Chick-fil-A restaurants Captain Michael Abrashoff – USS Benfold Pastor Andy Stanley – North Point

Community Church Arbone

Way’s to lead like Dorothy

Relate Serve Encourage Develop Be open, be real, be vulnerable