What do Hollywood, swimming, and fashion have in common?

Superstars emerge from them.

Not the kind of superstar whose name you hear every day or who grace the cover of magazines. I’m talking those who quietly lead from the depths of their passion. Who rise from humble, sometimes horrifying beginnings. Who squash “no”, find power in rejection, and overcome dismissal. Who become superstars because of their accomplishments, kindness, compassion, humor, and fearlessness.

I’m talking about women. Not just any women, these women: Nina Tassler, Marlee Matlin, Diana Nyad, and Diane Von Furstenberg.

These women spoke keynotes at the Simmons Leadership Conference this year. While their stories are wildly different, three commonalities brought power, humor, and guidance to the audience.

“No” wasn’t an option and “yes” wasn’t optional

When Marlee accepted her first Oscar one critic cruelly declared that her career was D.O.A. – deaf on arrival. He claimed her Oscar was a pity vote and she would never work in Hollywood again. Yet she has been in 18 films, 25 TV shows, and won 12 awards.

When Diane’s signature wrap dress lost its popularity, the fashion and news industries glibly said, “the end of a trend, therefore the end [of her career]”. Today DVF, is one of the most sought after brands.

When Nina became an agent she was told her chances of success were small, probably non-existent. Yet she went on to become the longest running broadcast executive.

When Diana tried four times to swim from Cuba to Key West, her team suggested she swim to Guam instead (albeit this guidance was out of love and concern unlike the examples above). Yet she became the first person to swim across “the Cuban graveyard”.

These women made me think about this old Nike ad (look up!)

All had the right team behind them

Each of these women had a team. Not just any team, a hand-selected, supportive, experienced team of the right (and sometimes unlikely) mix of the right people. Not the people that told them yes. The people that helped them figure out how to achieve their dreams. While each had a team, my favorite examples are Diana and Marlee.

A “single” swimmer, Diana had a team of 44 people when she swam from Cuba to Key West. FORTY-FOUR people made up of scientists, oceanographers, meteorologists, doctors, and of course, her best friend and coach. Fifteen miles before reaching the Key West shore she stopped and told her team (paraphrasing): When I stumble upon that shore everyone will swarm me to ask me how *I* did it, how *I* feel, what an accomplishment it is for *me*. But we did it. We accomplished this, together. And it will always be a part of us.

Marlee’s team included the people you’d expect: her parents, friends, teachers, mentors, coaches. And Henry Winkler (yep, THE FONZE). When Marlee first met Henry (age 13) she said, “Hi, I’m Marlee, I’m going to be an actress.” Her mom did what most moms would do. She pulled him aside and suggested he gently not get her hopes up. He politely nodded then knelt down to tell Marlee, “Yes. You. Are.”

Their vision was simple, meaningful, and purposeful. And it changed over time.

Simon Sinek says “Leadership requires two things: a vision of the world that does not yet exist and the ability to communicate it.”

When Diana was a child, her mom off-handedly suggested that maybe one day she would swim from Cuba to Florida. It sparked an idea that became a vision. For Diana, it wasn’t any long swim, it was that swim that she desired.

When Marlee showed up at her first audition for a local production of the Wizard of Oz she didn’t say, “I want to be in this play” she declared “I want to be Dorothy in this play”. This turned into a vision of being an actor. An actor who redefined what was possible and normal, thereby opening the door to others.

When Nina showed up at Boston University her singular goal was to study acting, move to New York, work on Broadway. This turned into becoming an agent and later an executive. Not just an executive, an executive who used her position to create diversity and opportunity in her industry.

Diane’s vision was simpler but just as powerful. Starting out, married and pregnant she wanted to be an independent women, have her own career, and pay her own bills. At age 29 she sold more than five million dresses and was on the cover of Newsweek. That was just the beginning.

What made these women successful?

What makes these women successful isn’t fame and fortune but rather the lasting impact they are making all around them. They embody Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success.

To laugh often and much. To win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children. To learn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayals of false friends. To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others. To leave the world a little bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or redeemed social condition. To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation. To know one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

These women are superstars because they support and empower others. They make things better for the next generation. They share their knowledge and wisdom. And they inspire.