An Excerpt From

A Peacock in the Land of Penguins: A Fable about Creativity & Courage,

Third Edition

by BJ Gallagher Hateley and Warren H. Schmidt

Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers

vi

A Note from the Authors About This Expanded Edition

When we first began writing this parable about a peacockin the Land of Penguins several years ago, little did weknow where the book would ultimately take us! We knewwe had an important message about creativity and innova-tion in the context of today’s organizations — and wewanted to express it in a way that would entertain as wellas enlighten. We wanted to write a story that would speakto both the hearts and minds of people.

However, we had no idea how popular the book wouldbecome, and that it would evolve into a veritable cottageindustry. We now have translations into many languagesworldwide, a best-selling video that is used in conferencesand seminars, assessment instruments for consultants andtrainers, and a whole world of merchandising — T-shirts,coffee mugs, feather pens, penguin stress toys, and more!

Since its first publication in January 1995, many of ourreaders have asked us for more information; they wantideas and suggestions about what to do with the insightsfrom our book. “How can I deal with my own situation?”they ask. Managers and executives also ask: “Can you helpme transform my organization?”

This expanded version is our answer to their questions. Wehave revised and expanded Part II: “Tips and Tools forFeathered Friends” — advice to peacocks struggling to findhappiness and success at work. And we have added a newsection, Part III: “Ideas and Examples for TeachingPenguins to Fly” — advice to penguins who want to trans-form their organizations by embracing new ideas (some-times from unlikely sources). We’ve also expanded our PartIV: “Resources” section, including training materials,videos, and merchandise to help reinforce the message ofthe Peacock story. We hope you will find these new addi-tions helpful!

BJ Gallagher HateleyWarren H. SchmidtLos Angeles, CaliforniaSeptember 2001

Contents

Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iiiA Note from the Authors About this Expanded Edition . . .viForeword by Ken Blanchard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii

Part I: A Peacock in the Land of Penguins

The Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Part II: Tips and Tools for Feathered Friends

Are You a Peacock (or Other Type of Exotic Bird)? . . . . .114Survival Strategies for Peacocks Who Want to Stay Put .115Tips for Peacocks Who Want to Fly the Coop . . . . . . . .116Strategies for Birds of a Different Feather . . . . . . . . . . .117 Positive Penguinship: What Peacocks Can Learn

from Penguins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122There’s a Little Bit of Penguin in All of Us . . . . . . . . . . .123

Part III: Ideas and Examples for Teaching Penguins to Fly

How You Can Tell If You Work in the Land of Penguins .126Recognizing the “Quack”

(Common Phrases from Penguins) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128Tips for Penguins Who Want to Change Themselves . .129Tips for Penguins Who Want to Change

Their Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130Preventing Penguin Paralysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131The Care and Feeding of Peacocks: A Penguin’s Guide .132Reports from the Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Part IV: Additional Resources for Peacocks and for Penguins

Training Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143Merchandise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145Keynote Speeches, Training, and Consulting Services . .147The Story Behind the Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149About the Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

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Foreword

Every once in a while a small book comes along that dealswith a profound subject in a simple, elegant way. APeacock in the Land of Penguins is such a book. I lovedthis book when the first edition came out in 1995, and Ilove this new edition even more. It provides importantinsights into the issue of creativity and innovation in theworkplace — and it does so in a most engaging manner.Through the medium of a fable, this book helps us to seewhat can happen when we try to express ourselves fullyand courageously in an environment created by executivesand managers who view the world very differently.

Stories are a great way to convey important messages —they inspire and teach at the same time. People forgetfacts, figures, and theories, but they remember stories.People who know me can tell you how often I use storiesin my own conversations, in my speeches, and in my dailylife. I love to write great stories, and I love to read greatstories.

This is the story of Perry the Peacock — a bright, talented,colorful bird — who comes to live in the Land of Penguins.He soon runs into problems because the penguins haveestablished a chilly organizational climate that is formal,bureaucratic, and governed by a vast array of written andunwritten rules. Although his talent is recognized, hisdifferent and unusual style makes the penguins feeluneasy. The very thing he was recruited for — his distinc-tive flair and creativity — is now viewed as a problem bythe penguins, once Perry is inside the organization!

His experience reflects that of “birds of different feathers”in many of today’s organizations. Executives and managerssay that they want new ideas and new thinking from theiremployees, but their actions indicate otherwise. New ideasare disruptive, they’re messy, they challenge the statusquo, they require taking chances and increased risk, andthey push everyone out of their comfort zones. So peoplewho are different, people with new views on how to makethe organization successful, are often discouraged from

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expressing them — much to the detriment of both the indi-vidual and the organization.

This delightful corporate fable follows the adventures ofPerry the Peacock and other exotic birds as they try tomake their way in the Land of Penguins. Their story is bothentertaining and enlightening. This is a tale of the perils andpossibilities of being unique and creative in a world thatvalues comfort, safety, and the predictability of conformity.

If you’re interested in new ideas for making yourself andyour organization successful, read this little book. Creatinga workplace where creativity and innovation can flourish isa top priority for managers and employees alike. There areimportant insights for all of us!

Ken Blanchardcoauthor of The One Minute Manager

Most organizations looked the same:

Top executivesand managerswore their distinctive penguin suits,while worker birdsof many kindswore colors and outfitsthat reflected their workand their lifestyles.

Birds who aspired to move upin their organizationswere encouraged to becomeas penguin-like as possible —to shorten their stepsand learn the penguin stride,to wear penguin suits,and followthe example of their leaders.

Employee Development Departmentsofferedextensive training programsonappropriate penguin-like behavior.

The rulesand normswere clearfrom Day One.

3

Penguins advised in subtle(and not so subtle) ways:

"This is the way we do things here."

"If you want to be successful,be like us."

4

Some of the birdswho wanted to move upin the pecking orderbecame very goodat taking on the penguin lookand penguin behaviors.

But even theyfound thatthey never quitemade itinto key positions.

5

It was assumed by allthat penguinswere natural leaders —orderly, loyal, and good team players.

Penguins could be trustedto putthe organization's interestsaheadof personal and family concerns.

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Other birdswere thought to bemore flightyand less dependable.

7

Of course,this was never statedout loudor in writing.

Because,like every organization,penguins wanted to be seenas fair-minded andready to promoteon the basis oftalent,hard work,and contribution.

8

But everyone really knew —

The penguinshad always been in charge,andthe penguinswould always be in charge.

9

The elder penguinswould takeyounger penguinsunder their wingsand coach themonhow to be successful.

They would invite themto play golfand go jogging.

They would sit togetherin the executive dining roomand talk about sports.

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It was clear to everyonewho the important penguins were.

It was also clearthat the penguinsfelt most comfortablearound each other.

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Life was harmoniousin the Land of Penguins,as long as everyone playedby the penguins' rules.

The other birdsin the organizationknew how to actto make the penguinsfeel comfortableand secure.

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JJut there came a timewhen things began to changein the Land of Penguins . . .

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emor penguinswould visitother lands,where they encounteredinteresting birdswho impressed themwith theirmanagement talent,experience,and accomplishments.

s

"These birds are not penguins,"the elders thought,

"but perhapsthey could become penguinsif we brought them to our landand trained themin our penguin ways."

"Surelythese impressive and unusual birdscould adapt to lifein the Land of Penguins,and the talentthey bringwould make useven more successful."

"Our climate is different —chilly and cold.And our terrain is unique —icy and barren.

"But we have thrived thereand so perhapswill these new birds.

"If they are as smartas we think they are,they can adjustto our weather and our ways."

16

/ind this was howPerry the Peacockcame to livein the Land of Penguins

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this material has been excerpted from

A Peacock in the Land of Penguins: A Fable about Creativity & Courage,

Third Edition

by BJ Gallagher Hateley and Warren H. Schmidt

Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers Copyright © 2009, All Rights Reserved.

For more information, or to purchase the book, please visit our website www.bkconnection.com