Some people make such a big impact on the world that you can’t help but reflect on the lessons and inspiration they left behind.
In the hours and days following August 26th, social media feeds and news broadcasts were flooded with images and videos from the queen of country’s incredible career.
Let’s take a look at how some of Dolly Parton’s most iconic quotes can be applied to authenticity in PR.
“I know who I am, and I don’t try to be anyone else.”
What made Dolly Parton stand out wasn’t just her big hair, bedazzled outfits and country charm. Okay… maybe it was partly the hair and the stage presence, but what I’ve noticed in memorials and reflections about her is that she will be remembered for her authenticity.
This kind and philanthropic spirit wasn’t an act. It wasn’t manufactured for her music career or a persona she would put on when doing press, and she didn’t tamp it down for anyone.
She knew who she was, and she knew what she had to offer. You could trust that Dolly Parton was the same person on stage as she was at home.
The lesson for leaders here is to identify, own and share what only you can. Your personal experiences and stories are what make you unique, and they’re what bring your audience, employees and key stakeholders the most value and build the most trust.
Three-quarters of people are more likely to trust someone if that person has an established personal brand, and Dolly embodied how to do this authentically throughout her career.
“Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
Dolly also taught us that unless your industry or role calls for the utmost seriousness, it’s okay to have a little fun. She could laugh at herself, and often embraced and leveraged the stereotypes or criticisms of her.
When it comes to PR, talking points and key messages do matter, but don’t get so caught up in them that you lose who you are and what makes you connect with people. When appropriate, share a bit about your personal life when posting on social media or by sharing your thought leadership.
As a leader, your strategy online certainly should include positive business updates and initiatives, as roughly half of a company’s overall reputation is now attributed directly to the CEO’s personal reputation, but don’t attempt to fit into the box you think your audience wants you to be. They’ll sniff out inauthenticity and that canned “PR message” sooner than you think.
And while those board meetings and awards make for great content, I guarantee the family trip or the personal goal accomplished will resonate even more with your audience.
“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.”
We don’t all have the Dolly Parton funds to make the philanthropic impact she did, but we can all pay it forward in some way that is meaningful to our core values. You can give your time and energy to organizations and causes you feel strongly about.
That can even start with your own team or company. At Media Minefield, we provide a stipend for employees to refresh & grow at their 5-year mark, a paid sabbatical at their 10-year and 15-year mark, a Dream Manager program for their personal goals and 24 “Miners Serve” hours a year to spend giving back to their community in any way they choose.
Dolly Parton leaves behind a rare legacy in business, one that was built on authenticity and could never be replicated. From Dollywood to the Imagination Library and likely countless philanthropic projects that may or may not ever be revealed, she embodied what it meant to become your own brand.
86% of people say authenticity is important when deciding which brands they like and support, so build one that represents your core values and share the ways your work uplifts others.
Lastly, because how could one blog possibly cover all of Dolly’s best quotes, I’ll end with one that summarizes the greater lesson she imparted on all of us around authenticity:
“Find out who you are, and do it on purpose.”
About the Author: Colette Peterson is the Director of Services, leading our team specializing in earned media and thought leadership for clients across industries.