Glass Blowing and the Art of Leadership
All Things Dolly
Since childhood, I have loved all things Dolly Parton, and that includes her premiere vacation destination for tourists in East Tennessee – Dollywood. For those who have not been, it is a theme park set in the late 1800’s. There are rides (of course), delicious food to be tasted, and Dolly memorabilia at every turn. The park employs artisans familiar with trades that were common in this era, such as blacksmiths, candle makers, and glass blowers. It is the glass blowers that I would like to draw your attention to in this post.
Glass Blowers
The work of art begins with a long steel blow pipe and a furnace. Inside the furnace is a crucible of clear melted glass. The master craftsman gathers some of this glass on the end of the steel pipe and brings it back to his bench. Here he will begin to shape the hot glass to conform to the image he sees in his mind’s eye. From time to time, he must place the glass, while still on the steel tube, back into the fire to heat it, as it cools quickly at the bench. Once removed, he can blow into the pipe to give the piece volume, then return to the bench to shape it. When the piece is completed to his satisfaction, he gently scores and taps the area where it is attached to the pipe, and it disconnects. Then it begins the cooling process. [1]
Leadersmithing
The author of our book this week, Leadersmithing, describes the process of becoming an effective leader in much the same way one would learn the art of glass blowing. You must become an apprentice. [2] Poole says that apprenticeship used to be the main way a person entered a trade. [3] It has gone out of fashion in today’s society. However, you if intend to work at a place such as Dollywood in blacksmithing or glass blowing, they would first make you an apprentice of a master craftsman to learn the trade properly. As in glass blowing, in leadership there are skills that must be learned (usually on the job) and character traits that no doubt need honing in order to be an effective leader. Poole spends the second half of the book discussing these traits in detail. They are divided into four convenient categories, based on a deck of cards, for a total of 52 characteristics – one for each week of the year. [4] In the following paragraphs, I will focus on an example from two of these four categories.
Diamonds
Diamonds are the characteristics or traits that keep us sharp as leaders. [5] As the author put it, they make us ready to deploy ourselves on the job. [6] The 2 of diamonds in Poole’s deck of traits focuses on our role models. We ought to choose them wisely, and concentrate on their strengths as we continue to develop these same areas in our own lives. [7] I have several role models, but will mention just one here. I love Dolly Parton. She became a role model for me when I was very young. Today she is known not only for her music, but for her servant leadership and philanthropy. She attributes her philosophy to her own upbringing and to Christ Himself. [8] She simplifies her core values to: work hard, give back, appreciate what you have, and love and serve others. [9] I hope to emulate these values in my own life.
Hearts
According to Poole, hearts are the charm of leadership. They are the characteristics that make people feel at ease in your presence. [10] The king of hearts in the author’s list of traits is simply trust. [11] Poole breaks this concept down into three areas: credibility, reliability, and intimacy. [12] I found it interesting that in a previous post, I wrote about trust and leadership. [13] I believe this to be a key quality that is sometimes missing in our society today. As we follow Christ’s example found in Scripture, we will certainly become more trustworthy leaders.
Conclusion
The glass blower at Dollywood has a shop beside his studio to display his works of art and even sell them to potential buyers. We as leaders don’t exactly “set up shop”, however, we do display our leadersmithing characteristics for the world to see. Everyone can see the qualities that go into making us exceptional leaders, or as the case may be, poor leaders. What are we selling? Our ability to be effective leaders in any situation. Am I trustworthy? Do I balance work and play well? Can I say “no” to others? And so forth. As Dolly once said, “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.” [14]
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[1] “The Process of Blowing Glass,” Sacramento Art Glass, November 2022, Link.
[2] Poole, Eve. 2017. Leadersmithing: Revealing the Trade Secrets of Leadership. London ; New York, NY: Bloomsbury Business, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, p. 58-61.
[3] Ibid., p.59.
[4] Ibid., p. 73.
[5] Ibid., p. 77.
[6] Ibid., p. 77.
[7] “Leadersmithing: A Craft Approach to Leadership, Part 1,” HR Magazine, March 2017, November 2022, Link.
[8] “Dolly Parton: Country Music’s Biggest Servant Leader,” Leaders.com, May 2022, November 2022, Link.
[9] Ibid., Link.
[10] Poole, Eve. 2017. Leadersmithing: Revealing the Trade Secrets of Leadership. London ; New York, NY: Bloomsbury Business, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, p. 151-152.
[11] Ibid., p. 154-156.
[12] Ibid., p. 155.
[13] “A Matter of Trust,” Tonette Kellett, November 2022, Link.
[14] “Inspiration: Dolly Parton,” Criteria for success, July 2020, November 2022, Link.
About the Author
Tonette Kellett
Missionary, teacher, Bible student, traveler ... Having lived in Kenya and Korea, I now live in Mississippi and work with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.9 responses to “Glass Blowing and the Art of Leadership”
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Tonnette
I love how you share about glass blowing to illustrate the need for certain skill sets as a leader. It is fascinating to watch glass be blown. I have had this opportunity and enjoyed watching the process!
You discussed trust as a “hearts” skill. They are characterized by these “three areas: credibility, reliability, and intimacy.” I would be interested in hearing how intimacy is a quality of trust. As a leader, do you have an example of intimate trust?
I love the pictures you have included! I think I will keep the image of the hanging glass in my mind. Those pieces of blown glass are beautiful. I know that this is how you light up your classroom!
Your ending quote from Dolly is like hearing Dolly sing and end this song on a perfect note.
Kristy,
Thank you for your question. I believe when leaders know their people intimately, they know their needs and can better help them achieve their goals. For me, it is taking time to know each of my students and their families personally. I need to make home visits to know where they are coming from, and their life situation. Then when they are struggling, I am better able to speak to them about setting goals and reaching those goals. Knowing each child’s situation is really important.
Hi Tonette, Thank you for your blog post this week! I love how you weave your thoughts about Dolly and glass blowing into Poole’s presentation of leadersmithing. Also, I just want to say that referring to your own blog post, “A Matter of Trust,” and including that in the footnotes was a great idea! What an inspiring way to connect our own thoughts over and through all of our writing. I’m going to learn from you and try that, myself.
I like how you include the visual pieces in your blogs. They add so much to your themes. Do you think of the photos you associate with our readings first, or do you write your blog and then find the visuals that match your writing?
Jenny,
Thank you for your encouragement. You are always so kind with your words.
I usually find the photos after I know what I am going to write.
Hi Tonnett,
Wow, I love that final quote from Dolly Parton! Amazing! Thank you for highlighting her leadership as worth modeling after.
As I was reading this post, it did remind me of Simon Walker’s book. There is certainly much cross over. I was, in all honesty, surprised when I read “charm” as an essential in leadership. My first thought went to smooth talking, charismatic leaders who are outwardly enticing to follow, but inwardly are narcissists. However, you did clarify what that meant, and for that I am grateful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Tonnett! This glassblower analogy will stick with me!
David,
Thank you for your thoughts. I always enjoy reading what you have to say.
Dolly Parton is a great example of a leader. I enjoyed learning something new about glass blowing and it is interesting how you linked this to our reading on leadersmithing. Great post.
Thank you Shonell.
Tonette,
It was so interesting to learn about glass blowing. I have never been to Dollys park but it sounds like such an experience!
She is a great example of a female leader both in country music and life. What are your favorite characteristics of Dolly as a leader?