Dolly Parton’s legacy offers AEC leaders a reminder that defining your values matters less than living them.
The reaction to Dolly Parton's passing has been fascinating to watch. Social media has been flooded with stories about her, but what stands out most is that many of them aren't about her music.
People are remembering her for her generosity, her humor, and the way she treated people. Her impact extended far beyond the songs she wrote. In many ways, that's what people are mourning. One quote attributed to Dolly has been rattling around in my head: "Find out who you are and do it on purpose."
As individuals in professional services firms, we spend a lot of time on the first half. Leadership teams gather to identify differentiators, craft mission and vision statements, and create strategic plans. We debate wording. We create elevator pitches.
That's important work. But I wonder if the second half of the quote is the harder part. “Do it on purpose.” Knowing who we are is one thing. Acting on it is another.
It's easy to lean into our values when the market is strong. It's harder when uncertainty creeps in. Do we still pursue the same kind of work? Do we still invest in our people? Do we still reward behaviors that strengthen our culture, or only the outcomes that strengthen our balance sheet?
That may be the real challenge hidden in her quote: Not whether we've figured out who we are, but whether we're doing it on purpose.
 |
Janki DePalma, LEED AP, CPSM is director of business development at W.E. O’Neil. Contact her at jdepalma@weoneil.com. |
