08/31/2026
Three years ago, Dolly inspired my TEDx talk (linked in comments) to my own east Tennessee community. I challenged us to consider the parts of our identity story, individually and collectively, that we are proud of... AND... not to ignore the parts of our story that may be harder to acknowledge.
Dolly unashamedly rooted her story in a bigger one, "...I’d still believe in God, because I believe we need to believe in something bigger and better than ourselves... I just think that everybody’s got to have something to believe in.” I personally believe that her trust in an identity story Bigger than her own fueled her gracious generosity and her confidence in her own unique gifting, message, and way of being in the world.
While she lived and led from her inside out, she rooted her story of self in connection to Other and to others. The most steady, gracious, and sustained leaders I support do the same. Too much identity clarity devoid of connection to others or Other, whatever your bigger-than-you foundational purpose is, can be just as unhealthy as not having any idea what is your unique story, leadership approach, or purpose.
Thank you Dolly, for inspiring me then- and now. And for your example of identity- first leadership, of gracious and generous and human-centered business practices, and for your invitation to all of us to, "Find out who you are and do it on purpose."
