“You’ve always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.”
– Glinda, The Wizard of Oz
What if… instead of endlessly chasing success at work, striving for the perfect family dynamic, or scrolling through social media in search of the “idea-that-will-fix-everything,” we realized we already have everything we need inside of us?
In my career, I have often felt I’m not enough. I’m not doing enough, I don’t have the talents or abilities that “others” seem to have. This feeling has weighed on me, believing I hadn’t read enough, taken enough courses, or worked hard enough to reach the success I was striving for.
But then, I heard something Oprah shared in one of her Super Soul Sunday conversations and it profoundly shifted my perspective.
She spoke about her realization that The Wizard of Oz isn’t just a story about finding your way “home.” Instead, it’s about finding your way to your true self, your true home—uncovering the parts of you that feel disempowered and learning how to embrace your unique gifts to create the life you’re meant to live.
You already have the red shoes, you just need to trust that you already have all that you need.
The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion Within
The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion symbolize our perception of weaknesses we often think about ourselves. When we face a challenge, it’s easy to focus on whether we’re smart enough or knowledgeable enough to succeed. But sometimes, it’s about resourcefulness, finding creative ways to approach the unfamiliar.
Starting something new often requires courage, the kind we’ve demonstrated before but maybe forgotten. It’s about looking back at the times we dug deep, took risks, and thrived despite the uncertainty.
And creativity? That comes from the heart. True creativity isn’t about perfection or logic; it’s about authenticity, passion, and trusting yourself to explore new ideas.
Then there’s intuition—that quiet inner voice, the knowing within us. It’s our personal guide, always ready to show us the way if we can slow down and listen. Learning to trust our intuition, even when it defies logic or expectations, can unlock paths we didn’t know were possible.
If we can look inward to identify, embrace, and trust these parts of ourselves—our resourcefulness, courage, heart, and intuition—we’ll see that we already have what it takes to create meaningful change.
Start by Asking: What Do You Need?
When I coach women executives and business owners, one of the hardest questions for them to answer is, “What do YOU need?” That’s because they’ve spent years prioritizing everyone else—team members, clients, family, partners.
So, here’s the first step: find a quiet moment. Maybe it’s while walking the dog, making lunches, or sitting with your coffee (without your phone). Ask yourself, What do I need? Think about your work goals, your aspirations, or even just what you need to feel grounded today.
Once you can identify your needs, it becomes so much easier to figure out what strengths, skills, or resources will help you meet them.
Reconnect With Your Strengths
As women, we’ve often had to conform to “male-coded” ideals of leadership and success. We’ve been taught to value certain traits—like being decisive and results-driven—while downplaying others, like empathy, collaboration, and intuition.
Take a moment to pause and reflect:
- What comes naturally to me?
- Where do I shine?
- When have I had past wins that can help me now?
- How can I use my strengths in new ways to support what I want to achieve?
By reconnecting with your strengths, especially the ones you may have sidelined, you can start to see the path forward more clearly.
Integrate Head, Heart, Courage, and Intuition
As you reflect on your strengths, consider how you can combine them in new ways. For example, think about the parts of your work you truly enjoy—those moments that light you up. How can you lean into those areas and create more opportunities to do what fulfills you?
In your personal life, the same applies. Work planning skills might help you organize a family trip. Negotiation strategies could help you navigate tough conversations with aging parents. And through it all, intuition is your compass. Let it guide you in deciding what feels right and where your energy is best spent.
Stretch beyond what feels “safe” or “doable” and step into what excites you. That’s where real transformation begins.
Ignore the Wizard(s)
In business or the workplace, there’s often a “wizard” behind the curtain—the disembodied voice telling us what we should or shouldn’t be doing. These voices, whether from corporate culture, societal expectations, or even within ourselves, can keep us small.
But here’s the truth: those voices aren’t in charge of your story. You are. Shifting how you show up, even in small ways, can spark progress. Ignore the wizards and listen to the one voice that truly matters—your own.
Have Patience as You Build Your Emerald City
Building your dream—whether it’s a successful business, a fulfilling career, or a more balanced personal life—takes time. The Wizard of Oz reminds us that it’s not about waiting for someone else to grant us what we want. The journey is about discovering that we’ve had the power all along.
Glinda’s words ring true: “You’ve always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.”
So, trust your strengths, listen to your intuition, and play with them in new ways. Don’t be afraid to dream bigger than you think you should. You’ve got this! everything you need is already within you.
