Yellow Brick Road

While at the 2007 ASTD conference, I saw several references to the "Wizard of Oz" story. One booth focused on the Emerald City and another has the "OZ Principle". Although I received a copy of the book, I have not read it yet. The analogy of this story line to a learner is quite compelling. I wanted to get some of my ideas down on this before I read the book.

In the movie, "The Wizard of Oz", Dorothy could represent a typical learner. At the beginning she exists in a black and white world which controls her concepts through several characters which are not her parents. This could represent teachings or mentoring she receives from various sources such as teachers, books, school and other adults. And of course these give her some turmoil in holding onto things she holds dear (her dog Toto). Some of the sources support her while others are trying to take away these things. In a real learners life, similar influences take place to fortify some teachings, doctrines or beliefs while others seem to indicate completely the opposite is true.

Suddenly, in a literal whirl-wind fashion, Dorothy is thrown into a different world. In this world things are not just black and white but instead have many different shapes, colors and principles to which she is not accustomed. This could represent a learner being placed into a new business culture when they enter the work place.

Dorothy is at first quite bewildered and confused about what has happened and sees no where to find answers. She only has her old beliefs to hold onto (her dog Toto) to comfort her until she encounters the Munchkins. These little people welcome her with celebration as someone who has brought some relief to them through the demise of a wicked element in their world. They do not know all the answers but recognize positive elements in their world that may help her get back to her safe and secure life style. This of course is the good witch who arrives just in time to bring some clarity to the situation. The Munchkins could represent the little people within a company - the work force, and the good witch would of course would represent good corporate training programs or a mentor.

When the good witch arrives, the bad witch also arrives to represent the positive and negative influences in this new world which are always in conflict. Dorothy receives something new to hold onto from the element she is replacing (the red slippers from the bad witch she has just destroyed with her house). And of course the bad witch threatens to take them away. Several representations here could be the bad witch is incorrect or bad training or doctrines or other candidates who wanted the job position she is filling; the red slippers are the new job title or position; and the house is the accomplishments, awards, credentials, etc. that the learner used to get hired into the new job.

After this brief encounter with the good and bad witches, Dorothy is again left alone with the Munchkins. She is told to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City as a means to solve all of her problems. All of her questions will be answered by the Wizard of Oz who resides there. This could represent a learning or career path. Although she is not sure, she starts out on her new adventures in this new world with a cheerful heart and hope while holding onto her beliefs and her new slippers. Just like a new learner beginning a new career.

Along the way, she encounters the first fork in the road and must decide which path to take. There is always the chance that each path will take her to the same destination, but there also may be a wrong path and a right path; an easy path and a perilous path. At this juncture, she is given some advise by another seeker of answers. This seeker sees this world from a different view and sees all of the troubles related to only one deficiency. The advise she gets is unclear, but together they set out on one of the paths with the comfort that they are not alone. This could represent teachings or training for knowledge received by the learner which is meant to help the learner find the true path, but is not always clear as to how it applied to real-life conditions. "If I only had a brain" or knowledge, everything would be better.

Next in their journey to a better life, they encounter nourishment or rewards and another seeker. This new element is looking for more heart to enable his world to be complete. Again, this could represent some teachings of a need for relationships or passions to succeed in the business world.

And yet another encounter with a seemingly formidable opponent turns out to be not what it appears, but adds to the troupe helping Dorothy along her path to find the magic answers with the Wizard of Oz. This could represent the need for motivation and integrity. Each of these encounters or training received by the learners usually of themselves are not the entire answer. But together they are learned through experience that they are needed to succeed.

Negative element try to prevent Dorothy from reaching her goal, just as it comes into sight. This of course represents a typical learners experience to be ever watchful of uncontrollable influences in their everyday life which can hinder their progress.

And finally, Dorothy reaches the Emerald City, where nothing is what it appears. There are walls to keep people out; closed doors to prevent entry; phony signs to discourage inquiry; and doormen to turn-away requests. This may represent many different corporate structures, programs, systems or curriculum which appear to be beneficial, but are actually self-serving into themselves.

When she does gain entry, everything seems to be as she was expecting. Beautiful people, wonderful services/benefits, and much activity are plentiful in this new city. This may represent a promotion into a management position with more power, benefits and promise of more security.

Her troubled past catches up with her as the wicked witch threatens her new life style. She makes her way to the Wizard for help and finds yet another task is required before she receives her long awaited wish. In the learners world, when they take new positions of responsibilities, they never really lose their old responsibilities or the decisions they made. They find that this better position bring with it more tasks and challenges to be completed before success can be realized.

Dorothy is accompanied by her new friends to take on this new task and some of her beliefs are put at risk (her dog Toto). Through the struggle to maintain her beliefs, she perseveres with her companions who have become stronger along the way. When a situation puts a learners beliefs to the test, they must rely on other beliefs to fortify or verify true actual doctrines, and the learner comes away with a better understanding.

When Dorothy returns to the Wizard of Oz, she again finds out that there are no quick and easy answers. The Wizard is only a man with many good ideas, skills and tricks. Her companions have matured along her during their journey and challenge to overcome their original short-comings or perceptions. They have all learned that the journey is more important than the destination; success is determined by experience, knowledge, skills, passion, motivation and relationships; and intrinsic power is all that is needed to get you where you want to go.

Now I can go read the book and see what other analogies can be made.