Leading Through Connection
There’s a charming tale about the journalist and writer L. Frank Baum is one that I’ve been reflecting on.
One evening, while in his Chicago home, he spun a story for a group of children, including his four sons.
The tale was of a Kansas farm girl named Dorothy, whose house was swept up by a cyclone and touched down in a far-off land.
When one of the children asked where Dorothy had landed, Baum looked around the room for inspiration. His eyes fell upon a drawer on a filing cabinet labelled “O-Z.” “Why, Dorothy landed in Oz,” he said, crafting an iconic name.
Of course, he didn’t mention that the name came from his office furniture — it would have ruined the moment’s magic.
This story has stayed with me, especially when I think about leadership. It reminds me of the Wizard in Baum’s tale, who never wanted anyone to discover him manipulating the machinery that controlled the sound, smoke, and mirrors sustaining his façade of powerful magic. “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!” he bellowed when found out.
The Wizard feared being seen as ordinary, powerless without the illusion.
In leadership, there can be a similar temptation — to believe we need to have all the answers, to maintain the status quo, or to hide behind titles and status for a sense of self-worth.
However, just as Toto revealed the true nature of the Wizard, today’s world is pulling back the curtain on what people want from their leaders. The truth is, no one is asking for perfection or greatness. People seek something much simpler and more profound: they want leaders who care enough to show up authentically in their lives, offering hope and guiding with wisdom, kindness, and courage.
Let’s remember that the true magic of leadership isn’t in the smoke and mirrors but in the genuine connection and care we bring to those we serve.
