Crayons? Check.

Creativity? Double check.

Leadership lessons? DING DING DING!

Imagine reading the extremely popular new kid’s book “The Day The Crayons Quit!” by Drew Daywalt and witnessing your entire leadership team drawn out in rich, vibrant colors.

This book is about life and contribution from the perspective of crayons. The book is also a metaphor for how we treat human capital in the workplace. What’s the difference? I’d say about 20 yards – the distance between the kid’s section and the business shelf. 

Do you recognize the cast of crayons?

Red feels overworked… 
Purple is operating outside the lines… 
Beige feels mislabeled… 
Gray only works on big projects… 
White (white) has a hard time finding a way to contribute… 
Black is sitting on the outside looking in… 
Green feels happy and loved! 
Yellow is feuding with Orange, again… 
Orange is feuding with Yellow, still… 
Blue is the favorite by far… 
Pink feels overlooked… 
Peach is naked - NAKED!

That’s probably enough of a spoiler. Get the book and find out which member of your leadership team “can’t see over the railing of the crayon box anymore!”

Ancora Imparo… 
Stacey

Article originally published on Mason On Leadership, September, 2014

Book illustrations by Oliver Jeffers

About the Author

Stacey Mason uses insight, perspective, and humor to move people toward greater self-awareness and thought leadership. Her platform Improve Thru Improv® merges business acumen with improvisational techniques to “play with how you think!” Raving fans of her work refer to her as “thought provoking, intensely self-aware, a wanna-be extrovert, and freakin’ hilarious!”