Lessons from Dolly.
I watched the DollyParton documentary in the wee hours of this morning. She has had a fascinating career journey. There are many poignant moments in the film to consider but here are some reflections that resonated with me most profoundly today.
She goes to great strides to not offend. She doesn't take the bait of those who tried to pigeon-hole her into supporting an agenda that would isolate others. She intentionally avoids hot topics and controversial subjects and just encourages and embraces people and meets them where they are. I get standing firm on beliefs but too often we are too busy pontificating to consider the impact to others. We could take great lessons from her on her approach.
She had a goal and she never lost sight of it. She was told no. She was often rejected. She was scoffed at and laughed at but she knew her value, her talent and her worth and kept her eye on the prize. In our culture where so many of us require constant confirmation, affirmation and cheer leading, it was noticeable that she focused on her goal and confidently ignored the naysayers.
She keeps firm boundaries. Her private life has been kept separate from her public one. She protects her marriage, her extended family and her sanity. She understands what is important and doesn't budge from those convictions.
She is generous. She never forgot where she came from and who she was before the limelight. She cares about people, issues of poverty, education and opportunity. She gives generously without fanfare.
There are other notable things, of course, but these are the points standing out to me today. In a world where there are so many people who shouldn't be emulated, it is refreshing to garner wisdom from someone who has lived life well.
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
