Derek Neighbors

What Phoenix Can Learn From Willy Wonka

This morning on the drive in I saw Chris Conrey tweet, “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along w/ people.”-Theodore Roosevelt (listening #phx?)”.

I had to giggle a little bit and then responded with, “@conrey “daddy I want a goose that lays golden eggs. I want it right now” — veruca salt (willy wonka)”.

I really like analogies or metaphors and the more I thought about the off the cuff example in that exchange the more I liked it. So Phoenix, here is the Willy Wonka version of some challenges we face. There were five children that entered the Wonka factory and only one survived. Maybe we can learn something from them.

Augustus Gloop
Poor Augustus was filled with gluttony. In the end his lust for chocolate was his down fall. Too often people are filled with greed. They get lost in what matters. They are so focused their own personal “chocolate river”, that often times they haven’t even realized when they have fallen in. Much like Augustus mother, their friends make excuses for them and even indulge this behavior.

Oompa Loompa’s say “So greedy, foul, and infantile”

Veruca Salt
Talk about spoiled and greedy. Her petulant behavior finally did her in, but the way she is most mimicked in our community is her impatience. You see Veruca must not only have everything her way, but she has to have it her way RIGHT NOW. The longer she goes without getting her way, the more angry she gets. Ultimately this “bad egg” behavior gets her sent down the chute.

Oompa Loompa’s say “Veruca salt the little brute”

Violet Beauregarde
This ultra competitive little girl let’s her ego get the better of her. Competition is healthy, but having to have the spotlight on you and your achievements only develops an unhealthy sense of self. After finding the bubble gum of her dreams she ignored all warning signs of danger because her ego convinced her she could handle anything. Much like her father, friends of people who exhibit this behavior gently warn of danger, but are too timid to stage an intervention to save them.

Oopma Loompa’s say “This dreadful girl she sees no wrong… “

Mike Teavee
This type of personality is so obsessed with what they believe is important that they are incapable of seeing the outside world. They blindly chase after things in the most fanatical sense. Often without thought or reason. Just like Mike they may find themselves minimized and removed, but still not even realize their fate.

Oopma Loompa’s say
“It rots the senses in the head, It kills imagination dead”

Charlie Bucket
Finally we come to Charlie. He makes mistakes like we all do, but he honestly admits them. More importantly he takes the criticism from Wonka head on. He believes in honesty and integrity and wont let his desires sway his moral compass. In the end his patience and ability to fight adversity gets him that which he most desires.

So Conrey, while we might all need to get along. The truth is we could use a whole lot more Charlie Buckets in Phoenix.

Phoenix, What are you doing to ensure your golden ticket turns into your dream?

Tags: personalities, phoenix, willy wonka