The leadership lessons found in Dolly Parton, the businesswoman

The useful part

The chorus of praise for Dolly Parton's music and philanthropy rings on, and so does the admiration for her entrepreneurial legacy. Parton was a shrewd businesswoman who amassed an estimated $450 million fortune and maintained creative control in the male-dominated music industry. She presided over an entertainment empire that included the Dollywood theme park.

How it works

• Ulrika Gustafson, an executive coach and strategic advisor, told Forbes.com that Parton showed leaders should be distinctive and should not feel the need to act or look like others to command respect.
• Trager says Parton did a lot right to turn her name and fame into a fortune.
• "We talk a lot about building your own authentic brand, and if it's not authentic, then people will not believe it.
• The other lesson is no one's going to believe in you more than you're going to believe in yourself," she said.
• In the wake of Parton's death on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, numerous articles have been written about the business lessons she left.