Because It Is So Popular with Wicked: What the Wizard of Oz About Understood Through Color

Leadership Lessons from the Wizard of Oz

In the world of storytelling, few tales have resonated as deeply across generations as The Wizard of Oz. From its origins in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel to its timeless 1939 film adaptation, the story of Dorothy and her companions has captivated audiences with its messages of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. But what is often overlooked is the profound leadership lesson that can be drawn from the transformation of the story’s visuals—from the stark, muted tones of Kansas to the vibrant, colorful world of Oz.

In this journey, the shift from black-and-white to color is not just a visual choice but a symbolic representation of growth, change, and the awakening of human potential. This transformation mirrors the personal and leadership development process: the journey from a limited, static existence to one filled with possibility, richness, and vitality.

The Significance of Black and White: The Beginning of the Journey

At the outset of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s life in Kansas is presented in black and white. This monochrome world symbolizes a life of simplicity, conformity, and limitation. While Kansas represents the known, it is also a place of unfulfilled dreams and quiet despair. Dorothy feels trapped, longing for something more, but she doesn’t quite know what that is. This reflects the early stages of leadership or personal development when one might feel stuck in a routine or unsure of how to take the first step toward change.

Black and white, in this sense, represent the constraints of the status quo. The world is orderly, predictable, and lacking the vibrancy that comes with embracing growth. It is the leadership challenge of stepping outside the familiar, of moving beyond comfort zones and breaking free from the boundaries that hold us back.

The Emergence of Color: The Awakening of the Journey

When Dorothy’s house is swept away by a tornado and lands in the magical land of Oz, the transition from black and white to color is a stunning moment of visual transformation. The vibrant hues of Oz represent a new chapter in Dorothy’s life—one full of adventure, challenges, and most importantly, possibility. The world has come alive, and so too has Dorothy’s journey of self-discovery.

In leadership, color symbolizes the dynamic and unpredictable nature of growth. It’s the point at which a leader begins to see the richness of life’s experiences and the vast array of opportunities that lie ahead. As leaders, we often begin in the “black and white” stages of life, bound by familiar frameworks, constraints, and roles. But the journey from monochrome to color signifies the expansion of vision, creativity, and the embrace of uncertainty.

This transition to color is not just about external experiences—it’s an internal awakening. Just as Dorothy learns to see the world in new and richer ways, a leader also learns to view challenges with fresh perspectives, guided by creativity, passion, and resilience. The vibrant colors of Oz represent not just external beauty but the human spirit’s capacity for transformation. Leadership, like Oz, becomes more than a fixed destination; it’s an evolving journey filled with limitless potential.

Why Dorothy's Shoes Were Red, A Guess

Color is more than just a visual tool in The Wizard of Oz; it is a metaphor for the life of the journey itself. As Dorothy travels through Oz, encountering strange characters and facing difficult challenges, the journey unfolds in all its vivid complexity. Leadership, too, is not a linear path; it’s filled with twists, turns, and unexpected moments that require adaptability and resilience.

The colors of Oz—the golden yellow of the Yellow Brick Road, the green of the Emerald City, and the deep purple of the Wicked Witch’s castle, plus the ruby red of Dorothy's shoes—serve as markers of significant events and internal growth for the characters. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion each embody different qualities that Dorothy and the audience come to appreciate more fully as the journey progresses. Each companion represents a part of Dorothy’s own potential, and the colorful landscape of Oz reflects the way in which leadership grows through diverse experiences, perspectives, and challenges.

Similarly, as leaders, we must recognize that our own journeys are filled with a wide spectrum of experiences. There are moments of triumph, failure, joy, and despair. It is in this vast array of “color” that we find meaning and growth. Leaders learn to embrace the chaos, the unexpected challenges, and the beauty of the unfolding journey. Color in leadership is about appreciating diversity—both in experiences and in the people who walk alongside us.

Humanity’s Capacity for Colorful Leadership

The journey from black and white to color in The Wizard of Oz ultimately symbolizes the growth and transformation of both Dorothy and the world around her. In the same way, leaders grow by embracing the full spectrum of the human experience. True leadership requires us to be vulnerable, adaptable, and aware of the ever-changing landscape of life. Just as Oz is not a place of perfect beauty, but rather a place of vibrant complexity, leadership is not about a flawless path—it is about navigating the full range of human experience with authenticity and compassion.

The “color” of leadership is found in the connections we make with others. It’s in the ability to listen, to empathize, and to lead with purpose. It’s in the courage to make difficult decisions, the creativity to solve problems, and the resilience to continue moving forward even when the path ahead seems unclear.

In the end, The Wizard of Oz teaches us that leadership is about stepping into the colorful, unpredictable world of human possibility, where every experience adds to the richness of the journey. Leaders, like Dorothy, may start in a world of limitations, but through perseverance, creativity, and connection, they transform their worlds into something vibrant and full of life. Just as Oz is a land of limitless potential, so too is leadership when we choose to embrace all the colors it has to offer.

Colors In Leadership, Oh My...

Leadership, much like The Wizard of Oz, is about embracing a journey from a world of limited vision (black and white) to a realm of boundless potential (color). As we step into the “color” of leadership, we discover the fullness of our humanity—the highs and lows, the challenges and triumphs, the diversity of experiences that shape us. It is through embracing this vibrant journey that we find our true leadership potential, and in doing so, we inspire others to do the same.

In both life and leadership, color is not just an aesthetic—it is the essence of what makes the journey worthwhile. It is the reminder that, through challenges, growth, and connection, we can create something beautiful and meaningful. The color of our leadership is what brings our stories—and the stories of those we lead—to life.

Let's rise!

xx

Nani