In one of the most poignant TED Talks of our time, educator Rita Pierson tells us, “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.”
She goes on to say, “If you say it long enough, it becomes a part of you.” Her insight doesn’t stop at the school gate—it holds profound implications for leaders across all sectors.
As leaders, we set the tone not only for what our people do but for what they believe is possible—about themselves, their team, and the organisation. The power of belief, especially when repeated and reinforced, becomes not just motivational—it becomes transformational.
Consider this extraordinary psychological experiment:
A prisoner, sentenced to death by hanging, became part of a study into the power of belief. Instead of execution by rope, scientists told him he would die from the venom of a deadly snake.
To simulate the experience, they blindfolded him, pricked his skin with a needle in the same spot a snake would strike, and watched. The man, convinced he had been bitten, quickly exhibited symptoms of poisoning and died within minutes—despite there being no venom at all.
This startling event demonstrates the placebo effect in reverse—a phenomenon where belief alone can alter physical outcomes. In this case, belief led to death. It’s a stark reminder of the power our minds wield and the critical role leaders play in shaping the internal narratives of their people.
We are all walking evidence of our internal dialogues. When a leader consistently communicates belief in their people—“You are capable. You are valued. You can do this.”—those words begin to take root. Over time, they can replace doubt, silence impostor syndrome, and become self-fulfilling.
Leadership is not merely about setting direction or achieving metrics. It’s about being someone else’s champion. A study from Gallup found that employees who strongly agree their leader makes them feel enthusiastic about the future are 69% less likely to actively search for a new job. This is belief in action—it retains talent, drives performance, and builds commitment.
But belief can’t be lip service. It must be authentic, consistent, and sustained—until your people not only hear it, but become it.
So ask yourself:
As Rita Pierson reminds us, champions are those who never give up on others—and who use the power of belief to elevate those around them.
Because if you say it long enough, it becomes a part of them.
And if you lead with belief, it becomes the foundation of something extraordinary.
Here is the link to Rita’s Ted Talk – https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion?language=en
