Foreword

Every once in a while a small book comes along that deals with a profound subject in a simple, elegant way.

A Peacock in the Land of Penguins is such a book. I loved the book when the first edition came out in 1995, and I love this new 20th anniversary edition even more. It’s no surprise that over the past two decades it has become the best-selling diversity book in the world!

A Peacock in the Land of Penguins provides important insights into the issue of creativity and innovation in the workplace — and it does so in a most engaging manner. Through the medium of a fable, this book helps us to see what can happen when we try to express ourselves fully and courageously in an environment created by executives and 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 forget facts, figures and theories, but they remember stories. People who know me can tell you how often I use stories in my own conversations, in my speeches, and in my daily life. I love to write great stories, and I love to read great stories.

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 have established a chilly organizational climate that is formal, bureaucratic, and governed by a vast array of written and unwritten rules. Although his talent is recognized, his different and unusual style makes the penguins feel uneasy. The very thing Perry was recruited for — his distinctive flair and creativity — is viewed as a problem by the penguins once he is inside the organization.

Perry’s experience reflects that of many “birds of a different feather” in today’s organizations. While executives and managers today say they want new ideas and new thinking from their people, their actions indicate otherwise. New ideas are disruptive, they’re messy, they challenge the status quo, they require taking chances and increased risk, and they push everyone out of their comfort zones. So people who are different — people with new views on how to make the organization successful — are often discouraged from expressing them, much to the detriment of both the individual and the organization.

This delightful corporate fable follows the adventures of Perry and other exotic birds as they try to make their way in the Land of Penguins. Their story is both entertaining and enlightening. This is a tale of the perils and possibilities of being unique and creative in a world that values comfort, safety, and the predictability of conformity.

If you’re interested in new ideas for making yourself and your organization successful, read this classic tale. Creating a workplace where new ideas and innovation can flourish — and where different perspectives are welcome — is a top priority for managers and employees alike. There are important insights for all of us!

Ken Blanchard

Coauthor of The One Minute Manager^®