A Peacock in the Land of Penguins A Fable about Creativity and Courage

by Gallagher, Bj; Schmidt, Warren H.

• ISBN13: 9781626562431
• ISBN10: 1626562431
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-01-05
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Summary

This classic pioneering book provides keen insight into workplace diversity. With new tips, tools, and strategies for peacocks and penguins alike, your organization will flourish and take flight!
 
Through the story of Perry the Peacock and his fine feathered friends, authors BJ Gallagher and Warren H. Schmidt bring to life the challenges of birds of different feathers who struggle to be successful in the conformity-minded Land of Penguins. Their travails illuminate the challenges of creating a pluralistic corporate culture in which the talent, energy, and commitment of all employees are fully engaged.
 
People who have new ideas that differ from business as usual are often ignored or criticized for the very thing that makes them valuable: their originality and creativity. This unique book helps organizations break out of "penguin thinking” in order to tap into and leverage the creativity of diversity. Learn how to cultivate an organizational culture in which new ideas can flourish and innovation can take flight.

Author Biography

BJ Gallagher is an accomplished management consultant, a popular speaker, and the prolific author of thirty books, including Being Buddha at Work and Yes Lives in the Land of No. She spent five years as the manager of training and development for the Los Angeles Times prior to founding her own human resources consulting company.

Warren H. Schmidt is a professor emeritus at the University of Southern California and the coauthor of The Race without a Finish Line and TQManager. He has also written many educational and management films, including the Academy Award–winning animated short Is It Always Right to Be Right?

Ken Blanchard is founder and chief spiritual officer of the Ken Blanchard Companies and is one of the world's most prominent authors, speakers, and consultants. He is the author or coauthor of more than sixty books.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Ken Blanchard

Part I: A Peacock in the Land of Penguins
The Story

Part II: Tips and Tools for Feathered Friends
Are You a Peacock, or Other Type of Exotic Bird?
Do You Identify with Any of the Birds in This Story?
Strategies for Birds of a Different Feather
Positive Penguinship: What Peacocks Can Learn from Them
There’s a Little Bit of Penguin in All of Us
Diversity Includes Everyone

Part III: Teaching Penguins to Fly
How You Can Tell If You Work in the Land of Penguins
Recognizing the “Quack” (common penguin phrases)
Who Cares About Diversity … and Why?
Tips for Penguins Who Decide to Change Themselves
Tips for Enlightened Penguins Who Seek to Transform
Their Organizations
Avoiding Penguin Paralysis
The Care and Feeding of Peacocks: A Guide for Penguins

Part IV: From Parable to Practice
The Story Behind the Story
Perry the Peacock’s Legacy
Peacocks and Kids
Bonus Section: “The Penguins Ate Your Cheese!”
Acknowledgments
About the Authors