“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” – Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a national treasure. Because of her kindness, philanthropy, entrepreneurial excellence, artistic talents, and just general disposition, you will find very few people who have a negative thing to say about her.
In this article from Polina Pompliano, the impact of Parton’s life is discussed in great detail. What I want to focus on is her definition of leadership.
She said, “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” Let’s break down that statement.
7 Things We Can All Learn From Dolly Parton’s Definition of Leadership
The following are seven things we can learn from Dolly’s definition of leadership. First is the lesson followed by her supporting quote and additional comments.
- Leadership Requires Action – Parton started by saying, “If your actions.” Leadership is active, never passive. It is about movement and taking people and organizations from Point A to Point B.
- Your Actions Must Be Intentional And Lasting – Parton continued, “create a legacy.” There is not randomness or wasted motion to good leadership. Leaders communicate direction and build alignment. Parton’s words also teach us about the value of long-term excellence. She is the first country artist to have a Billboard Top 20 single in seven different decades – the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and 20s.
- Leadership Should Inspire – Without a doubt Parton “inspires others.” Because of the amount of pain, suffering, and uncertainty in he world, people are dying for inspiration. A leader who cannot inspire is a leader who will not be followed.
- Leadership Should Inspire People To Dream – Parton wants people to “dream more.” Great leaders are optimistic and help people see possibilities. They traffic hope. There is a limitlessness to their worldview. “What if” and “could we” are constant vernaculars in inspiring leaders.
- Leadership Should Inspire People To Learn – Because of her background in poverty, Parton knows the value of helping people “learn more.” In 1995, she started her Imagination Library to help children learn to read. As of today, Parton has donated more than 140 million books in an effort to improve literacy around the world.
- Leadership Should Inspire People To Personally Grow – Parton is still learning and growing at age 75. What excuse do you and I have to not “become more?” As John Maxwell says, “The only guarantee tomorrow will be better than today is personal growth.”
- “Then you are an excellent leader.” – Let’s recap, if you are person of intentional and lasting action, inspirational, hopeful, a continual learner, and dedicated to personal growth, then you have a chance to be an excellent leader.
Dolly Parton is a legendary leader. What is one thing you learned from her life in this article which will make you a better leader?
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