In remembering Dolly Parton and the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind, I was reminded of a story I shared in my book, Leadership Two Words at a Time. Dolly’s confidence, authenticity, generosity, and unmistakable sense of self offer a powerful lesson for leaders. Here’s an excerpt from the chapter “Know Thyself.”
I recently watched a YouTube video from 1977 featuring famed journalist Barbara Walters interviewing country music legend Dolly Parton. It’s worth recognizing that Dolly was more than an extraordinary musician and songwriter who composed more than three thousand songs. She was also an accomplished businesswoman who employed thousands of people at her Dollywood theme park alone, as well as a dedicated philanthropist.
In 1995, she launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through the Dollywood Foundation. Each month, the program donated hundreds of thousands of books to children to promote literacy. So, yes, Dolly was a leader.
During the interview, Walters asks Dolly, somewhat insultingly, “Do you ever feel that you’re a joke? That people make fun of you?” Rather than becoming defensive, Dolly responds thoughtfully and confidently: “I am sure of myself as a person. I am sure of my talent…I am secure with myself.”
The inner security and confidence that made Dolly Parton who she was are also part of what drew us to her. And they are what can result from knowing yourself deeply.
To “Know Thyself” means soberly assessing every aspect of your human nature and coming to terms with who you are. The point isn’t to eliminate the parts you don’t like. There really are no bad parts. Rather, the goal is to become a whole, complete, and secure person with a keen understanding of your own emotional alchemy. It means becoming fully comfortable in your own skin.
One of the highest compliments that can be paid to another person is, “They know who they are.” The phrase suggests that you understand the core truths about yourself and don’t mask them by pretending to be someone other than who you actually are.
Self-awareness should ultimately result in authenticity. Others will trust you when the real you is the same as the leader you, regardless of your human imperfections. No one wants to be led by a perfectly fake leader.
