5 Women To Learn From
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Succeed While You Fail
DANI DAVIS, 41
THEN: Tony Award-nominated Broadway producer
THE MOMENT: I had to stand on the stage of Little Women The Musical and announce the premature closing of the show to the company. As I poured out my apologies, the cast yelled, "Stop! You did all you could! This has been great for us." They were applauding. I had trouble taking in the fact that they believed in me, even as I was failing them. The fact that life went on and people still believed in me was a huge lesson. People look at you not as the little achievements and failures, but at your integrity and resilience.
NOW: Recently directed Joyful Noise: Handel's Rock Messiah for PBS.
THE RULES: I became aware of how your appearance affects people's perceptions. A few times in my life, I have received hefty payments for my work, and I took a few thousand dollars and bought beautiful, classic designer pieces: Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, Narciso Rodriguez. Periodically, you need to allow yourself the item that makes you feel like, if you put it on, you can go out and make it happen.
