Dolly Parton talks being a ‘boss’ and working with ‘vampires’: ‘I kick ass’

Dolly Parton talks being a ‘boss’ and working with ‘vampires’: ‘I kick ass’

She may be famous for workin’ 9 to 5, but Dolly Parton is making sure her employees are putting in the hard yards too.

The country music icon — who boasts an array of businesses, ranging from the Dollywood theme park to the brand new “Scent From Above” fragrance — spoke out about being a boss in a new interview with People magazine.

The 75-year-old is well-known for being generous with fans and charities, but insists she won’t be walked over by people on her payroll.

“Some people, I have to kick their ass up one side and down the other because [they] will just not listen,” Parton proclaimed.

“And then you do have your creative vampires … A creative vampire is someone who takes your ideas and they claim them as their own, they take them and then they scatter them out.”

The “Jolene” songstress also said she’s encountered employees who are “energy vampires” and “people that are just going to eat you up alive.”

Not all of Parton's employees have been perfect. The star says she's dealt with Not all of Parton’s employees have been perfect. The star says she’s dealt with “creative vampires” who steal her ideas, and “energy vampires” who suck up her vitality.AP

But on the whole, the singer stressed, she values her employees and wants to be a fair and approachable boss.

“I’m a good boss, I think. I try to rule with love and compassion,” Parton told People. “But also, there’s a fine line that says, ‘She’s not a pushover.’ I’m a fair and honest person. I like to be as friendly as I can.”

She continued: “I know that we’re using each other and that when it’s time for them to go on, they can. But I want to be the kind of person, if they need to come talk to me, they can, almost like as a friend, and then we’ll get to the business. I don’t want anybody to be afraid to come to me.”

Parton spoke candidly in the new edition of People magazine.Parton spoke candidly in the new edition of People magazine. People Magazine

The star — who has been nominated for a staggering 50 Grammy Awards — says she doesn’t believe she’s better than anyone who works for her, as she’s hired them for their expertise.

“I have all kinds of companies, like Dollywood. It was my idea to have Dollywood, to have a theme park, but I knew I didn’t know anything about running it, but I knew I would find people. So I always do that, though, with anything. I hire people. I see what I need and what I want, but I know I can’t do all that myself.

“In some cases, I’m not smart enough to do it, but I’m smart enough to know what I want and what I don’t want. I’m smart enough to know what I can and can’t do, and so that’s how you have to look at it.”

At the age of 75, Parton is still expanding her talents and adding to her income.At the age of 75, Parton is still expanding her talents and adding to her income.FilmMagic

Parton’s business acumen — or her ability to hire those with the necessary know-how — has netted her a fortune estimated at $350 million.

And despite being in her eighth decade, the crooner is still expanding her talents and adding to her income.

Earlier this year, it was revealed Parton was writing her first novel, enlisting the help of acclaimed author James Patterson.

The thriller, titled “Run, Rose, Run,” follows a young singer-songwriter who is on the run from her dangerous past. It is set for to hit shelves March 7.