Shirley Temple (1928-2014) was the master of reinvention. Her initial blast to fame came as a child actress where she sang, danced and performed in 23 films and was the number one box-office star for a few years in the 1930s. When she was no longer relevant as an actress, she switched it up and became an author, wife and mother.
She changed gears again and became a business lady serving on corporate boards, non-profit organizations and participating in industry groups.
Though many people knew her from singing On the Good Ship Lollipop, she would not be typecast. Shirley Temple transformed herself into a mighty diplomat with stints as a delegate to the United Nations and an ambassador to Ghana and then to Czechoslovakia.
Whether in business or life, we could all take a cue from Shirley Temple about having the insight to realize when it’s time to switch it up and the courage to step into a new role.
I wanted to be in the FBI. I also wanted to be a pie salesman. It was so intense that the studio got the prop department to make a little wagon and they filled it with tarts. I wheeled it around the set and sold it to the crew. I was about 8 years old. I always sold out and I didn’t have to pay for them. It was a great deal.
Thank you Shirley Temple.
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