The Power of a Personal Mantra

A note to young leaders.

Self-belief isn’t a happy accident. It’s a mantra, oft repeated, deeply believed.

In 1984, Madonna had just finished performing “Holiday” on her first appearance on American Bandstand. Host Dick Clark asks her: “What do you hope will happen, not only this year, but for the rest of your professional life? What’s your dream?”

Without pausing, Madonna declares: “To rule the world.”

The studio audience bursts into laughter. Clark chuckles. But Madonna doesn’t blink.

She isn’t joking. This is no bravado. Madonna is simply declaring for the first time publicly, what she has told herself a thousand times privately.

She is merely speaking her mantra out loud.

Now rewind to 1982. Madonna, unknown and unpaid, finally persuades DJ, Mark Kamins, to play her demo track “Everybody” at Danceteria, a popular NYC nightclub.

It catches the ear of a Sire Records executive. He approaches her and says: “I want you to meet my boss.”

Only problem is … his boss, legendary executive Seymour Stein, is currently in hospital with a heart infection.

Most people would say: “Sorry to hear that, I hope he’s better soon” and wait for the meeting to happen. Not Madonna.

That very night, she strides into Stein’s hospital room with boombox in hand and performs her song. Stein, no doubt admiring her chutzpah and “grinning like a Cheshire Cat” at the absurdity of the situation, signs Madonna then and there.

The hospital bed signing has since become folklore. But before Madonna the superstar, before that defining moment – was a mantra, oft repeated, deeply believed.

What’s your mantra? Is it calling you to greatness?