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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyCCJ6B2WE 

I hated the Wizard of OZ as a kid! It scared me to death especially the wicked witch of the West! Then there was the Wizard with his loud voice and big smoke screen. Both seemed so intimidating and yet, as we all found out, so fake and not what they were made out to be. The witch? She died from a splash of water. Are you kidding me? A splash of water? Geesh, so fragile. Then the Wizard was found out to be nothing more than a man from Omaha, Nebraska who hid behind a screen and was an "old blow hard."

When I think of leadership I wonder if those who lead really believe others will "pay no attention to the man/woman behind the curtain?" Who are we/they kidding? The most effective leaders are the those who are most authentic, most transparent. They understand they are watched at all times and "put their pants on" like we all do, "one leg at a time." The leaders who are most effective for their company, organization, and/or business live out of their own personal values first. If personal values are in conflict with the organization, there is no curtain to hide behind.   

And what are those most important core values? How about starting with, "who am I (really)?", "what do I really stand for?", "what do I really believe about the way people should be treated?" "What is important to me?" And finally, "When it's all said and done, what do I want people to remember about me?"

The truth is, at some point, the curtain is pulled back for each one of us to disclose who we really are. It's just a matter of time.

rb