A Peacock in the Land of Penguins

This brand new edition of a classic, international bestseller continues to bring keen insight to an important topic--workforce diversity. Written in a charming, engaging style, it is a contemporary corporate fable--a tale for our times. This special 20th anniversary edition includes many new tips, tools, and strategies for peacocks and penguins alike--as well as an entirely new bonus parable. Through the story of Perry the Peacock and his fine feathered friends, authors Gallagher and 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.

“Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another. Birds of different feathers can, and should, flock together—for it is in bringing our diverse talents, skills, and creativity together that we create a true Land of Opportunity. To paraphrase the words of this lovely book, Our shared knowledge makes us wise. And our wisdom makes us successful.”
—Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate

“The beauty of metaphor is that it communicates meaning, not just information, which is why I learned so much from this book about diversity, corporate culture, and organizational transformation—lessons I will never forget.”
*—Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader

• “Every once in a while a small book comes along that deals with a profound subject in a very simple, elegant way. A Peacock in the Land of Penguins is such a book.”
  —Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager

  “A lighthearted treatment of a difficult problem, this story reminds us of what we are really after in our diversity efforts.”
  —Ann M. Morrison, coauthor of Breaking the Glass Ceiling

  “Insightful and witty . . . Gallagher and Schmidt have captured an essential truth about navigating the stormy seas of the contemporary workplace—from the strength of differences we can truly make a difference.”
  —Jim Kouzes, coauthor of The Leadership Challenge

Auteur

BJ Gallagher and Warren H. Schmidt

Résumé
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.

Contenu
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