The Big Idea
In The Oz Principle, Connors, Smith, and Hickman brilliantly use the analogy of “The Wizard of Oz” to discuss a business philosophy aimed in propelling individuals and organizations to overcome unfavorable circumstances and achieve desired results. This philosophy can be encompassed in one word: ACCOUNTABILITY.

The eponymous principle builds upon the ethos of personal and organizational accountability. It explores the root cause of an organization’s impediments to exceptional performance and productivity, and provides great insight on how to re-establish a business from the bottom up, emphasizing on the thin line that separates success from failure. The Above The Line, Below The Line methodology is the driving force behind the Oz Principle.

This tenth anniversary edition supplies the reader with additional and updated examples of Above the Line, Below the Line experiences of various individuals and organizations.

Part 1 - The Oz Principle: Getting Results through Accountability

Off to See the Wizard: Searching for Greater Accountability in Business

Just like Dorothy’s search for the Wizard of Oz for enlightenment, individuals and organizations also seek out the wizard that will save them from the maladies that afflict their workplace. However, the wizard is just a distraction, bearing new-fangled business philosophies and management fads that will only create a layer atop the ugly truth that needs to be revealed. When the core problem is not addressed, the ills will eventually resurface and the business is back to its sorry state.

Victim Thinking or Failed Accountability
When a company suffers from poor performance or unsatisfactory results, individuals from top management all the way to the front line begin finger-pointing, forming excuses, rationalizing, and justifying, instead of doing something to alleviate the situation. They foolishly profess that the circumstances have made victims of them, that the events are completely out of their control, and that they shouldn’t be blamed for the company’s current problems. It’s always something or someone else, never themselves.

The Truth About Victimization
Victimization grinds down productivity, competitiveness, confidence, and trust, which, if left unattended, will create a downward spiral for the organization. No amount of updated business techniques or breakthrough philosophies can salvage an organization when the basic principles of empowering people to achieve greater results are neglected.

Above The Line, Below The Line
A thin line separates failure and success, greatness and mediocrity.

Above The Line, you’ll find the Steps to Accountability which include in chronological order: See It, Own It, Solve It, and Do It. The first step, See It, means acknowledging the problem; to Own It is to assume responsibility for the problem and the results; Solve It means to formulate solutions to remedy the situation; and, as a culminating step, Do It commands the practical application of the solutions identified.

Below The Line is where the self-professed victims play The Blame Game. Here, crippling attitudes such as Wait and See, Confusion/Tell Me What To Do, It’s Not My Job, Ignore/Deny, Finger Pointing, and Cover Your Tail are rampant. Though majority of the people found in this dimension are weak in accountability, this does not mean that very accountable individuals are exempt from falling Below The Line. They, too, slip every now and then. The only difference is that they know how to get out of the rut. . . . . . . . . . . .

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