This newsletter is going to be different.
Whether you love him, hate him, or just enjoy the spectacle, there’s no denying that Donald Trump is one of the most fascinating figures in modern history. He’s not just a politician. He’s a brand, a movement, a force of nature.
And if you strip away the noise—the politics, the scandals, the larger-than-life persona—you’re left with something undeniably interesting: a personal growth strategy that has propelled him from real estate mogul to reality TV star to President of the United States… and back to the political arena again.
Now, before you throw your phone across the room or start composing an angry tweet, let me be clear: this is NOT an endorsement or a takedown. This is an exploration. A deep dive into the four rules that have shaped Trump’s worldview and, in turn, his success.
So let’s step back from politics for a moment.
What if, instead of judging, we simply observed? What if we looked at Trump—not as a politician—but as a case study in personal growth, influence, and the psychology of success?
What if we examined his mindset?
Because here’s the truth: The man has defied every expectation, broken every rule of conventional leadership, and still remains one of the most influential figures on the planet. He has lost and won, been written off and resurrected, faced scandals and indictments—and yet, his grip on his followers is unshakable.
So, what’s his secret?
What guiding principles have shaped him into the force he is today?
And perhaps most importantly—is there anything we can learn from them?
Visiting Mar-a-Lago & the movie The Apprentice
I got a firsthand glimpse into Trump’s world when I was invited to Mar-a-Lago a few months ago. I also have friends who have worked with him, been in meetings with him, and even done business deals with him. The insights they’ve shared with me paint a fascinating picture.
But what really sparked this letter was watching the film The Apprentice. The movie explores Trump’s relationship with the infamous American lawyer Roy Cohn, a man who once defended the mafia and was an ally of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the communist Red Scare in America.
The acting in the film was phenomenal— and the actors Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Cohn delivered Oscar-worthy performances.
But what struck me the most about the movie wasn’t just the acting—it was how it depicted Trump’s evolution. It showed his transformation from an eager, sweet, and somewhat naïve young man into the relentless, larger-than-life force he eventually became.
At the heart of it all were three laws that Roy Cohn imparted to Trump. These three rules—plus a fourth one that I picked up from reading The Art of the Deal years ago—form the foundation of Trump’s personal growth philosophy.
Are you ready? Buckle up.
Who was Roy Cohn?
To understand Trump’s personal growth philosophy, you need to understand Roy Cohn. If Trump is the ultimate showman-turned-politician, Cohn was the mastermind behind the curtain.
Cohn first rose to prominence as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during the infamous Red Scare, where he helped orchestrate the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s. He was ruthless, unapologetic, and had a simple rule—never admit defeat, never apologize, and always attack.
When McCarthy fell from grace, Cohn reinvented himself as a power broker in New York, working as a mob lawyer and rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful. It was during this time that he became Donald Trump’s mentor.
Cohn taught Trump how to weaponize the legal system, how to manipulate the press, and—most importantly—how to create an untouchable personal brand. He wasn’t just Trump’s lawyer; he was his strategist, consigliere, and attack dog all rolled into one.
Cohn had three ironclad rules. Rules that Trump absorbed like a sponge.
- Attack, attack, attack
- Admit nothing, deny everything
- Always claim victory
And then, years later, Trump added his own fourth rule—one that would become his ultimate superpower.
- Relentless optimism
These four rules became the foundation of Trump’s personal philosophy. And whether you agree with them or not, you can’t deny their impact.
Ironically, Cohn’s own downfall mirrored the tactics he taught Trump. In 1986, he was disbarred for unethical conduct—fraud, perjury, and unethical business practices. His response? Complete denial. Even as his career crumbled, he insisted he was the victim of a political conspiracy.
Trump absorbed all of this. And even after Cohn’s death from AIDS in 1986, his influence lived on in Trump’s philosophy of power and survival.
In the movie The Apprentice, it’s suggested that Cohn mentored Trump and asked him to follow the following 3 Rules of Life.
Rule #1: Attack, attack, attack
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote:
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
In other words: Never play defense. Always strike first.
This was Roy Cohn’s number one rule, and Trump didn’t just adopt it—he made it his core philosophy.
If you observe Trump’s career, you’ll see one pattern repeating over and over again: He never waits for an attack. He preempts it. He overwhelms. He escalates. He turns every battle into a scorched-earth war.
I had a fascinating conversation about this with Richard Branson on Necker Island in September 2024. Branson—who has been quite vocal about his distaste for Trump—shared something revealing.
During the 2016 elections, both Trump and Hillary Clinton invited him to separate meetings.
When he sat down with Hillary, she spoke about governance, strategy, innovation, and policy.
When he met with Trump? The entire conversation was about revenge.
Trump listed people who had wronged him, one by one, and described exactly how he planned to destroy them.
Branson walked out of that meeting shaken.
He had never met someone so singularly obsessed with retaliation.
But here’s the thing: It worked.
Trump’s relentless attacks obliterated his political rivals. In 2016, one by one, every Republican candidate who stood in his way was demolished.
This isn’t just politics. This is branding warfare.
Robert Greene, in The 48 Laws of Power, puts it this way:
“Crush your enemy totally.”
Trump doesn’t just defeat opponents. He erases them from relevance.
But what about those who stand with him?
That’s a different story.
At Mar-a-Lago, I saw this firsthand.
I had been invited to a private dinner for an incoming governor in March 2024. The attendees were some of the most politically influential people in America. And while I didn’t necessarily share their political views, I found them to be polite, warm, and genuinely kind individuals.
But the conversations? Fascinating.
One person confidently told me that 350,000 Chinese operatives had crossed the U.S. border and were waiting for China’s signal to attack America.
Another person claimed that two million terrorists were currently hiding within the United States.
Someone else insisted that Biden wasn’t actually running the country—that Barack Obama was secretly in charge, funded by George Soros.
Now, let’s be clear—I don’t think these beliefs hold up under objective scrutiny.
But what struck me was this: These weren’t angry, aggressive conspiracy theorists. They were polite, rational, and open to discussion.
When I questioned some of their claims, they listened. No tension. No fights. Just discussion.
And then, Trump walked in.
The energy in the room shifted instantly.
I have only seen a handful of people who radiate this level of charisma in person. The Dalai Lama is one of them.
As he greeted the crowd, he pointed at us and said:
“I love you!”
The room exploded.
“We love you, Mr. President!”
“We’re with you till the end!”
It was a level of loyalty that is extremely rare for any leader.
Regardless of what you think of him, Trump’s magnetism is undeniable.
But here’s the paradox: If you oppose him, he will try to destroy you.
And in American politics, that Machiavellian strategy has proven to be highly effective.
Rule #2: Admit nothing, deny everything
If Rule #1 is about overwhelming your enemies with force, Rule #2 is about something even more powerful: controlling reality itself.
This is Roy Cohn’s second golden rule, and Trump has turned it into an art form.
The rule is simple: Never admit fault. Never concede. Deny everything. No matter what.
This isn’t just about avoiding accountability. This is about bending reality to your will.
And Trump has done this over and over again, with astonishing effectiveness.
Let’s look at some of the most infamous examples.
Case study: The lawsuit that “never happened”
One of Trump’s earliest legal battles came in the 1970s when the U.S. Department of Justice sued Trump’s father’s company for racial discrimination in housing.
Trump’s response?
They didn’t just deny the charges—they counter-sued the U.S. government.
Eventually, the Trumps settled. But how did Trump spin it?
“We didn’t lose. We won.”
Factually, this was untrue. But in Trump’s world, it became true.
And this pattern would repeat throughout his entire career.
The 2020 election: The ultimate reality distortion field
Nowhere is this rule more evident than in Trump’s handling of the 2020 election.
Every court ruling, every recount, every single legal fact pointed to the same conclusion: Trump lost.
And yet, to this day, millions of people still believe he won.
Why?
Because he never admitted defeat.
Instead, he reframed the entire election as a stolen victory. He flooded social media with claims of fraud, manipulated perception, and planted a seed that no amount of evidence could uproot.
This is the power of Rule #2.
If you simply refuse to acknowledge reality, you force the world to choose: Do they believe their own eyes? Or do they believe you?
And if you’re charismatic enough, bold enough, and unyielding enough—people will believe you.
Trump’s superpower: The ability to rewrite history in real-time
A few months ago, I spoke to a seminar organizer who used to book Trump for speaking events before he became President.
He told me something mind-blowing.
There was a seminar where 8,000 people attended.
After the event, he followed Trump back to his suite for a quick chat.
Trump picked up the phone, called Melania, and said:
“Can you believe it? 18,000 people showed up to see me!”
Now—Trump knew the real number.
The seminar organizer was sitting right next to him.
And yet, in that moment, Trump rewrote the past.
Not out of forgetfulness. Not out of a simple exaggeration.
But because, in his mind, 18,000 was now a reality.
And this is where Trump does something most people can’t comprehend:
He doesn’t just lie—he creates a new truth.
Most of us, when confronted with reality, adjust our beliefs. Trump does the opposite.
He adjusts reality to fit his beliefs.
The big leap: Trump and the absence of an “upper limit”
Now, let’s pause for a moment—because there’s a fascinating personal growth concept at play here.
Gay Hendricks, in The Big Leap, talks about something called the Upper Limit Problem.
The idea is that most people have an internal thermostat for success, happiness, and self-worth.
When we exceed that limit—whether it’s a big career win, a massive relationship breakthrough, or a financial windfall—we subconsciously sabotage ourselves to return to our comfort zone.
Trump?
He has the opposite problem.
He doesn’t see limits at all.
He expands reality to fit his version of himself.
Call it narcissism. Call it delusion.
But the reality is—it works.
Because the world believes the people who believe in themselves the most.
This brings us to…
Rule #3: Always claim victory
There’s a phrase in branding and persuasion that goes like this:
“It’s not about the truth. It’s about the truth people believe.”
And no one embodies this more than Trump.
Roy Cohn’s third golden rule was simple but incredibly effective: No matter what happens, always claim victory.
Even when you lose.
Even when the facts say otherwise.
Because here’s the secret: People don’t remember details. They remember the story. And the story that wins is the one told with the most conviction.
Trump understands this better than almost anyone alive.
He doesn’t just claim victory—he does it with so much confidence that people start questioning reality itself.
The 2020 election: The biggest “victory” that never happened
Let’s take a step back to the 2020 election.
By every possible metric—legal, statistical, factual—Trump lost.
The courts ruled against him. Recounts confirmed the results. Every piece of credible evidence pointed to the same conclusion: Joe Biden won.
But Trump never conceded.
Instead, he reframed the loss as a fraudulent victory.
He planted the idea that the election was stolen, and once that narrative took hold, no amount of evidence could shake it. And here’s what’s absolutely mind-blowing—millions still believe it.
Not because the claim was supported by facts. But because it was delivered with conviction.
This is why Trump is still the dominant force in Republican politics today. Because he never allowed himself to be seen as a loser. In the world of influence and personal branding, losing is often worse than being wrong. And Trump knows that.
The bankruptcy “wins”
The 2020 election wasn’t the first time Trump rewrote history in real-time. In the 1990s, his business empire was crumbling.
- His Atlantic City casinos were bleeding money.
- He filed for multiple bankruptcies.
- His investors lost billions.
For most business leaders, this would have been the end. But not for Trump.
He never admitted failure. Instead, he rebranded bankruptcy as a genius business move. He walked away from his casino failures richer than before—while his investors got wiped out.
But if you ask him? He’ll tell you he won. And because he never acknowledged defeat, most people never saw him as a failure.
The inauguration crowd that “grew” on its own
One of the most blatant examples of this rule happened on Trump’s first day in office.
During his inauguration, news outlets published aerial photos comparing his crowd size to Obama’s 2009 inauguration.
And the difference was clear: Obama’s crowd was far bigger.
So what did Trump do?
He simply declared that his crowd was the largest in history. Even though the photos proved otherwise.
Rather than backing down, his press secretary doubled down on the claim. Suddenly, the conversation wasn’t about policies, the economy, or the future—it was about who had the biggest crowd.
And by the time the media finished arguing about it, Trump had already moved on.
The power of reframing reality
The lesson here isn’t just about Trump.
It’s about human psychology.
- Entrepreneurs sell themselves as billionaires before they hit their first million.
- Athletes visualize their victories before stepping onto the field.
- CEOs project confidence in their startups, even when their companies are burning cash.
Because here’s the truth: Winning is often a matter of perception. And if you can control the perception, you can control reality.
When this works (and when it doesn’t)
Now, this rule is incredibly powerful—but it has two sides.
If you declare victory with conviction, you can:
- Attract investors who believe in your vision.
- Build momentum even when the odds are against you.
- Create the feeling of winning—which often leads to actual success.
But there’s a dark side: delusion.
If you keep claiming victory even when reality is crumbling, eventually, the truth catches up.
- Investors stop believing in you.
- Employees lose faith.
- Your empire collapses.
So the real question isn’t just, “Does this work?”—because it clearly does.
The real question is: How far would you take it? Because once you start bending reality, it’s easy to lose sight of the truth altogether.
And that leads us to Trump’s final rule—his true superpower.
Rule #4: Relentless optimism
Roy Cohn taught Trump how to attack and deny, but the fourth and final rule in Trump’s personal growth playbook comes from a very different source: Norman Vincent Peale, the pastor who shaped Trump’s core belief system.
Peale’s philosophy, outlined in The Power of Positive Thinking, was radical self-belief taken to the extreme. His mantra? “If you think it, it will be so.” In other words, reality bends to the will of those who believe hard enough. And Trump has lived by this principle his entire life.
The power of positive illusions
This explains why Trump’s many financial collapses never seemed to faze him. Even when his Atlantic City casinos went bankrupt, he walked into meetings projecting absolute confidence—so much so that banks kept lending him money. He convinced investors that failure wasn’t real because, in his mind, it simply wasn’t an option.
And it wasn’t just business—this mindset shaped his entire approach to politics. Take his presidential campaign in 2016. Pundits laughed at the idea of a reality TV star with no political experience winning the White House. The media dismissed his campaign as a joke. And yet, Trump acted as if victory was inevitable from day one. His supporters felt his confidence, and that belief became contagious.
Failure? What failure?
Most people, when they suffer a public failure, go into damage control. They issue apologies, explain their mistakes, and try to win back credibility.
Not Trump.
When something doesn’t go his way, he simply acts like it never happened. His businesses collapse? “That was a smart business move.” His administration fumbles a policy? “It was actually a huge success.”
And here’s the wild part—people buy it.
Psychologists call this “positive illusions”, a cognitive bias where people who maintain extreme optimism—even in the face of failure—end up influencing reality itself. When a leader truly believes they are winning, they can convince others to follow them—even if the facts say otherwise.
Trump’s ultimate psychological shield
One of the most fascinating things about Trump’s relentless optimism is how it serves as a psychological shield.
A former White House aide once described watching him walk into a meeting completely unprepared, bluff his way through, and leave convinced he had dominated the room. He had no self-doubt. No hesitation. Just pure, unshakable confidence.
And the thing is, this kind of mindset is scientifically proven to work. Studies have shown that leaders who project confidence—whether or not it’s justified—are perceived as more competent. Even when they fail, people see them as visionaries rather than frauds.
The real lesson: When optimism becomes delusion
So, does relentless optimism work? Absolutely. It keeps you moving forward. It makes failure feel like a temporary inconvenience rather than a real setback. It builds an aura of invincibility.
But there’s a fine line between optimism and delusion.
At some point, reality catches up. Investors pull out. Supporters grow skeptical. And if you’ve built your empire entirely on positive illusions, the crash can be catastrophic.
So, the real question isn’t whether Trump’s relentless optimism is effective.
The question is: How far would you take it?
Final thoughts
Would you use these rules?
Trump’s rules—Attack Relentlessly, Deny Everything, Always Claim Victory, and Stay Relentlessly Optimistic—aren’t just political tactics. They are principles of influence, branding, and personal resilience that have been used by leaders, CEOs, and power players throughout history.
These rules have built billion-dollar empires, crushed opposition, and propelled him to the highest office in the world. They are also rooted in psychological strategies used by the most powerful figures throughout history—from military generals to corporate titans to media moguls.
But they also come with a cost.
When you attack relentlessly, you create enemies who never forget. When you deny reality, reality eventually catches up. When you always claim victory, you risk delusion. And when you stay relentlessly optimistic, you walk a fine line between confidence and blind arrogance.
Yet, these strategies work—at least for a time. And perhaps that’s why Trump, even in the face of indictments, bankruptcies, and political defeats, remains as influential as ever.
And here’s the thing. If you had asked me before that evening in March 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, I would have said—without hesitation—that I was anti-Trump. Not because of his policies, not because of his party, but because I had assumed he was a vengeful, hateful man. Someone so consumed by anger and ego that being in a room with him would be suffocating.
But that wasn’t the man I met. The Trump I saw was the exact opposite—charismatic, warm, full of high energy. And honestly? He was just fun to be around. Not the monster I had expected.
And it wasn’t just him.
I had also assumed that the MAGA movement was filled with narrow-minded conspiracy theorists, racists, and hateful and delusional people who saw the world in extremes. But the people I met in that room weren’t like that at all. They were kind. They were generous. They were intelligent. They operated from a different set of facts, yes—but they were open to discussion. They listened. They debated politely. They were willing to engage.
That night, I had to confront an uncomfortable truth about myself.
A lot of the conclusions I made about Trump and his followers came from one side of the media. And that had shaped my worldview into a rigid, binary perspective—where certain politicians were good and others were evil.
But life isn’t binary. Everything lies on a spectrum.
And in that spectrum are shades of gray—nuances that get erased when we let ourselves be polarized.
That night, I left with a newfound conviction: the moment you label one side as “good” and the other as “bad,” you stop seeing reality. You stop analyzing people for who they actually are, and instead, you judge them based on the version of them you’ve been fed.
I no longer see the world that way. And I don’t think anyone else should, either. Because the best way to truly see the truth about someone isn’t to assume. It isn’t to rely on what you’re told. It’s to analyze them yourself—to look at them with an open mind, to see both their light and their shadow, and to recognize that we all exist somewhere in between.
So, the real question isn’t just whether these rules work.
The real question is: Would you use them?
If you would or wouldn’t, let me know in the comments below.
Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.
If you found this interesting, invite your friends to subscribe to our newsletter.
Comment by Vishen:
I want to be clear, this newsletter is not meant to be political – America is divided on their voting choices and I won’t bring politics into Mindvalley. But I have been clear since 2016 on my stance on Trump. He is not the right man to lead America and has too many flaws of character. Even the day before the election I went on Instagram live to endorse Harris (on my insta, not Mindvalley). I still hold the view that Trump should not have won. But my job is to bring unity and not get political on Mindvalley. This article is designed to provoke thought and to show that in politics today – Machiavellian and Sun Tzu principles oftentimes trump spiritual laws. For each rule I’m not suggesting one adopt them – I’m only shining light on the belief system behind them.
515 Responses
Thanks for crystallising my decision to stop subscribing. Trump is a psychopath and you have succumbed. There’s nothing to learn from him except how bad people can damage others.
To get to the “real question”, as Vishen asks us: Would you use DT’s four “rules” which are:
Attack, Attack, Attack
Admit Nothing, Deny Everything
Always Claim Victory
Relentless Optimism
The examples Vishen gives under each “rule” are filled with narcissism, denial of reality, lies and cruelty. It’s hard to imagine a moral, spiritually aligned, positive energy version of any of these rules as outlined by Vishen in his newsletter.
Thus, I’ve been pondering why Vishen is asking Mindvalley members whether we would use these “rules” in our own businesses and lives. I can only come up with only two scenarios here, and both are extremely concerning…1) that if enough people say they would use these rules, Mindvalley will develop a program to train people to use these rules. And 2) that he is seeking to compile a list of members who say they will use these rules in order to form a group separate from Mindvalley to develop this mindset and subsequent actions throughout our communities that mirror Trump and Musk’s actions. Or both one and two here.
Having different viewpoints in politics is not an issue. But it is an entirely different matter when the founder and CEO of Mindvalley is sifting for members who are willing to be trained in Trump’s malevolent tactics. Thank you, Vishen, for revealing your true self in this survey.
Hi Vishen,
Anyone who follows the first three rules—attack relentlessly, deny everything, and always claim victory—is essentially an arrogant manipulator who distorts reality. But Trump follows all three to an extreme. So how could the blame be placed on the media when his entire strategy is built on denial, repeated lies, and leveraging faith as a tool for influence?
He denies everything, reiterates falsehoods, and presents himself as a “real Christian” to win over the majority. He seeks revenge on those who oppose him. Given all this, I can’t help but wonder—were you among the billionaires at Mar-a-Lago helping to fundraise for him?
Hopefully, you’re not applying for the Gold Coin he wants to sell to aliens looking to settle in the U.S.
Love love love this thoughtful and non-judgemental overview and perspective. This is coming from a adamant non-supporter of Trump, but what you have laid out here are true and make sense. The true question is, and what I explore in a novel I wrote recently, “In The Wake Of Chaos” by the pen name of Delaina Layne, WHAT WILL WE CREATE in the wake of this chaos Trump has brilliantly stirred up. There is a better way forward for humanity, and it is up to each one of us to look inside to find the answers. I will do that more in line with Gandhi’s methods. I do not align with Trumps revenge methods, morals, and philosophies. Thank you Vishen, both Dave Austin and I have met him and our experience was not as lovely as yours. He was as greasy back then as he is now (haha).
I do not usually write a response of disagreement to newsletters, blogs, posts, etc, but as a member of this site, I am incredibly disgusted and disappointed with this newsletter and will be unsubscribing and not looking back. This newsletter is so egregiously not okay.
I am in agreement with much of the critiques and criticisms that have already been stated here, so will attempt to offer an additional point. There is a difference with being “fascinated” with a character such as Trump and learning from his behaviors and exalting his mindset and behaviors. This newsletter so shockingly fails to condone the countless acts of harm that have been done, including those done to vulnerable populations in the U.S. and around the world and fails to address his commitment to the erasure of democracy along with history including women’s accomplishments and the civil rights movement to name two.
I am sure several people reviewed this newsletter before it was sent out and omission of such critical points of denouncement cannot be excused.
You, Vishen, are not excused from being responsible for the subsequent harm you have and will inflict on people as a result of this newsletter. You too are in a position of power and influence and no doubt there are many vulnerable people who read your newsletter who may potentially internalize what you have written. Should they be of a population that has been deeply traumatized by Trump or even someone who has experienced anytime of narcissistic abuse, this could result in cognitive dissonance which for someone in a traumatized state could result in ongoing and continuing psychological challenges.
Very insightful analysis. I couldn’t stop reading. I understand now why he is so successful as a leader to his base. I hope you write a follow up to those of us who feel under attack by him and his base. As you mention, his first rule is to attack and anyone on the “outside” of MAGA is watching and waiting for the attack. How should we prepare for the attack? Even better, how can we talk to his followers about NOT attacking people he has told them to hate?
There are so many things wrong with your normalizing the atrocities of Donald Trump. Let’s pick just one… his good buddy Jeffrey Epstein…
Hmmm….
Would you let Trump spend an afternoon alone with your daughter… unsupervised?
Vishen,
I am beyond shocked to know you are so fascinated by such an individual. I can’t stop wondering about what in the world made you think that his dirty tactics, zero integrity, and lack of morals are something to be replicated. What type of a world do you envision would be born out of individuals behaving in this same manner? Did you stop to consider this? Your perspective seems so out of line with what you bring to Mindvalley. What a WILD contradiction this newsletter is to what you’ve built there.
I do believe we live in a spectrum but lets say the spectrum Trump lives in would contain 2 or more world leaders like him who won’t back down when faced with an attack, then we run the risk of a war, and the consequent suffering of innocent people. People like Trump should not be powerful leaders because of that very reason. He should not be a politician because politicians should work for the people and not for themselves.
So much talk on the HOW- to get power- YET I would really
love to focus on the WHAT first: and compare what tactics bring what results over time:::: Too much focus on magnetism & power alone….
It would be interesting to ask can these tactics bring about any lasting good- what happens as a result for both the vision and the person using them?? what is the difference between holding a vision & belief ; the conviction and devotion to take it thru…, and never
admitting failure or loosing… needing to take punitive measures on anyone who disagrees (even if publicly there is no admitting of defeat: such revenge tactics as described show the fear of defeat as real- and basically crushing anyone and anything in the way of that- so what happens when we become caught up in perception & loose the ability to sit with reality, accept losses, and, really share the power because even God in all religions gave us free will… i do not see these tactics as respectful of free will, nor of creating the ability to see reality enough to create anything of value to life in a sustainable way.
Let’s dream a new dream of unity and offer offer offer rather than attack attack attack!
No, I would not use these techniques/manipulations to further my career or standing. It would never be of interest to me to do so. They are clearly harmful to self and others. “To thine own self be true”. The hubris and gluttony inherent in such beliefs and behaviors isn’t healthy. False realities will eventually fail but not before much suffering by many. I am not offended that you wrote this as others seem to be. It has helped me understand this person and his methods more clearly. The problem is when one so severely bends/breaks the rules of civility and perpetuates falsehoods, how does one confront or oppose them without falling into the same sort of rude, contemptuous behavior? That should be in your next newsletter!
Vishen, which lessons are you going to teach your kids? So are you going to create a course and teach these values to the masses? Sorry Vishen you have to pick a side. I have always thought that you were one of the good guys. Sorry some things ARE binary. Some things you have to say “no” too because you know its bad. Too much sugar, alcohol drugs etc. Where are the articles encouraging us to indulge in porn and beating our wives? See, you can choose. You have a greater responsibility to your followers than you can fathom. If this was your official breakup with your followers, mission accomplished. As a previous poster posted. MAGA devotees will love this. As it gives credibility to wanton power.
Two quick observations. He has the ability to turn his enemies into Allies. I think because he is willing to listen is open minded and maybe looking for a win win deal.
I am a long time supporter. I don’t agree with every position he takes but my main reason is his authenticity. In listening to politicians this is a rare trait and I saw it in Trump. I could do without the overplay of how great he did this and that but I believed what he said he proposed to do and I believed he cared about people.
It is a very well written blog and the analyses do give maybe unexpected insights. Having said that, I feel I choose not to endorse it. It is like Musk saying empathy is our weakness. It might explain his behaviour, but that does not make it congruent with what I believe
Mindvalley was/is all about: growing awareness and the power of love, not so much the love of power.
Hey Vishen. I literally could not believe what I was reading in my inbox and had to check that it was actually from YOU of all people. I just unsubscribed because I’m Canadian and we are under an existential threat from what used to be our closest ally. This isn’t about leadership. It’s about knowing your audience. Mindvalley is supposed to be a platform about growth, especially spiritual growth. If the article had been about tolerance or about trying to have compassion for Trumpers I wouldn’t have unsubscribed. I did that because it seems that you don’t know how to read the room and it was offensive to me at these times especially. Out of all the people living or dead that you could have chosen to exemplify, you chose the person who is doing more damage to democracy than anyone alive. Would you have used Hitler, Stalin or any other fascist dictator as an example of a strategic genius? Judging by the number of people who are truly offended, I hope you’ll learn from this. Read the room, Vishen. You’re better than this. At least I always thought you were.
I think the question we should all ask ourselves is not whether we would use them, but if we do – to what end?
The importance of power is not how to gain and keep it, but what one does with it – is it wielded and exploited to serve one’s own benefit, or those of humanity at large? Do you use your power to advocate for/elevate those less fortunate than you – or do you hoard/abuse it for personal gain?
The issue is not whether these ‘rules’ work – Trump has clearly demonstrated they do; and that people willingly bend to power as an easy short-cut to life (easier than trying to understand the ‘big [complex] picture’).
You’re right life is not binary, and we’re all on the spectrum. For this reason, I think we should all question our intentions in wanting to harness and use power. What impact do we want to have on the world?
Trump’s main motive has always seemed to be about accumulating more wealth – is this what we want people to aspire to? Shouldn’t we be more critical about the usage of power and instil a sense of responsibility to those who have it? Instead of asking for more, why not share/redistribute it, and work for more equality, instead of driving inequality and division the way Trump does?
I am interested in knowing how our true spiritual growth can re-direct and re-center toward a different platform now that Mindvalley has chosen to shift its perspective into a view that no longer resonates with why we subscribed to Mindvalley in the first place.
How that can be “the real question”? (Would you use them?) By this, in my eyes, you already apply said principles and create your own reaiity… And that definetily is not my reality, and I am not ready to support and fund yours by my membership anymore. I just canceled my subscription.
Thanks a lot for so many eye-openers, very positive ones, but especally thanks for that last one – your actual “newsletter” .
Good Bye.
I appreciate the deep dive into the psychology of influence and power. There’s certainly value in analyzing the strategies that make leaders, brands, and movements successful. However, I’d argue that effectiveness alone doesn’t justify the cost—both ethically and in terms of long-term credibility.
Richard Branson’s experience with Trump captured this dynamic elegantly. The relentless drive, the obsession with winning, and the strategic maneuvering are undeniably powerful—but at what price? As you noted, Trump’s associates were polite, open to discussion, and willing to engage. That’s an encouraging sign. But would they be equally willing to have meaningful conversations with those on the opposite bench? And even if they did, would it actually change their opinions?
It’s interesting how firsthand experiences can challenge or reshape perceptions. However, history has shown that personal charm and charisma don’t always correlate with leadership rooted in integrity or morality. Many influential figures—some of whom history remembers in a deeply negative light—were also described as powerful, charismatic, warm, and full of high energy. Hitler, for example, was known for his ability to captivate and inspire devotion in his followers, despite the catastrophic consequences of his leadership.
The real question isn’t just about whether someone is charismatic or engaging in person, but what they do with that influence. Charm can be a powerful tool, but it can also be a distraction from the real impact of one’s actions and decisions.
While these rules may lead to short-term success, history has shown that when power is built on denial, relentless attack, and reframing reality, it often collapses under its own weight. Influence isn’t just about playing the game; it’s about ensuring the game serves a purpose beyond individual gain.
That said, I enjoyed the exploration of leadership psychology and the reflections on media influence. It’s always valuable to challenge our assumptions.
First, Vishen, I absolutely commend you on sharing your thoughts about President Trump and MAGA from a first-hand perspective even though you obviously will come under fire from the left and they will attempt to cancel you and ruin your business because of it. Many of the comments here demonstrate this. It’s groupthink or off with your head.
I am from a generation of Americans who grew up believing the American dream. Even though I was a little girl in the 1960s, I believed that I could be the President of the United States if I only worked hard enough to make that happen. Americans back then didn’t really identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats and both voted for John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan for the good of the country.
I am an entrepreneur, a business owner, and a lifelong Republican that got involved in politics for the first time in the 2016 election, because I saw the American Dream slipping away under a more socialist form of government taking hold of my country. I was skeptical of Donald Trump, and I watched him for myself at rallies and other public appearances without the view of a biased media and decided I would support him and work to get him elected. I then ran a successful campaign in 2024 to become the Chair of my county party so that I could help get President Trump re-elected. Now the American Dream is making a comeback. I love my country, and I want it to remain a Constitutional Republic with my rights as an American citizen under the Constitution intact.
I would change a couple of things in your assessment of Donald Trump. I would change Attack! Attack! Attack! to Fight! Fight! Fight! which are his own words to describe this tactic. He is a fighter, and he doesn’t give in or give up, which are also mantras of his. President Trump believes that he is fighting for the soul of our country. When have we ever seen the FBI raid the home of a former President and Presidential candidate in the U.S.? That was a banana republic level tactic coming from the Biden Administration and should have never happened. That is when the Democrat Party jumped the shark so to speak and the shift started toward President Trump. Fani Willis releasing his mugshot cemented it.
The other thing I would add about Donald Trump to your list is what kind of father and grandfather he is. He is a billionaire who was not faithful to his wife, yet he has the closest relationship with all his kids than any person I know. First, they all work for him, and they campaign with him. His 14-year-old granddaughter took the stage at the RNC in front of thousands of people and told the world what she wanted them to know about her grandfather. When I was first looking at whether I would support him or not, it was important to me that he was a good dad who raised successful children, because it does go to his character. That is something you just can’t fake. So being an outstanding parent should be included on the list of the rules he lives by.
Lastly, and this is important – there is evidence that even though he may “destroy his enemies”, he does not hold grudges, and he has the ability to get former enemies on his side. Not only on his side, but they become raving fans. How does that happen? “Little Marco Rubio” is now Secretary of State in his administration, JD Vance is his Vice President, and RFK Jr is his head of Health and Human Services, are just a few examples. Now that is a tactic, he employs that I would like to learn and use.
I wish everyone would do their own research and really evaluate President Trump for themselves like you and I did. There are multiple videos and livestreams from the White House on YouTube that show exactly what he is doing, and you can hear from him in his own words without the bias of the media. Make up your own mind. Don’t let someone else tell you what to think.
Vishen, I appreciate what you said in your newsletter, and I really enjoy learning on Mind Valley. I’ve followed you for a long time and have seen the growth of your company over the years and congratulate you on your success. Keep up the excellent work!