Why Elaine Stritch Matters. . .and Will Always Matter

Reading the news today that Elaine Stritch passed from this Earth was both cause for sorrow. . .and celebration of a gutsy entertainer, the likes of which we see entirely too infrequently.

Kevin Fallon, in his Daily Beast memoriam (appropriately titled, "Elaine Stritch Pinched My Butt and Changed My Life") hit it sublimely with this:

In April 2013, she performed one last show at the Café Carlyle, Elaine Stritch at the Carlyle: Movin’ Over and Out. In its review of the show, The New York Times said, “Like Carol Channing and Liza Minnelli, she epitomizes traditional show business brass and resilience: a ‘give it all you’ve got’ dedication to entertaining.”

Give it all you've got.

There's the key to her success and longevity.   Yes, she had unparalleled timing.   And, yes, she could belt it out like Merman.   Those were the vehicles. . .the fuel that makes someone really great is this:  give it all you've got.

Measure the level of Stritch's entertainment contribution to some of today's stars (and I'm definitely including the rash of so-called reality stars in this) who enrich their coffers through minimum efforts and maximum sensationalism.   With little real regard for their audience, they truly give the least. . .but expect the most return.  In turn, we have little respect for them because they have given so little

Stritch gave her most.

Fallon tells of when Stritch was doing a cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's "Company.". It was her legendary number  "Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch.".  She was in agony, head in hands, because she felt her voice was not giving her what she needed to do justice to the song.   Unrelenting, she kept trying until she finally nailed it.

And the thing is, it was palpable.    Even watching her on television, one could feel that she was giving everything she had.

So why am I talking about giving it your most in a blog about leadership?    People shouldn't need to ask.

Another one of Stritch's legends was a number from Sondheim's Follies, "I'm Still Here."

Yes, she is. . .and while other stars fade, because she gave us all she had, she always will be.

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