Leaderboard

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jillgriffin/2018/08/27/the-courage-to-be-madonna-five-leadership-lessons/ The Courage To Be Madonna: Five Leadership Lessons It’s been said that the most important ingredient of a great leader is courage because everything else flows from that. A grand case in point is Madonna and the courage it took to build herself into a “one-of-a-kind” legendary entertainment leader. (Forbes reports her 2018 net worth at $590 million.) She recently turned 60 on August 16. While her style is admittedly edgy and, and not for everyone, her courage to be herself and blaze her own trail is undeniable. Consider these “Madonna” leadership lessons: Be Responsible Madonna lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 4. Wikipedia quotes her as saying: “The anguish of losing my mom left me with a certain kind of loneliness and an incredible longing for something. If I hadn't had that emptiness, I wouldn't have been so driven. Her death had a lot to do with me saying—after I got over my heartache—I'm going to be really strong if I can't have my mother. I'm going to take care of myself." Madonna showed early signs of self-discipline. She was a straight-A student and a member of her high school’s cheerleading squad. After graduating, she received a dance scholarship to the University Of Michigan School Of Music, Theatre & Dance. Be Brave In 1978, Madonna dropped out of college and relocated to New York City. “When I came to New York, it was the first time I’d ever taken a plane, it was the first time I’d ever gotten in a taxi cab, it was the first time for everything. And I came here not knowing anyone with thirty-five dollars in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I’ve ever done. ….. I can’t believe how frightened I was when I look back at it, but I was." Bootstrap Your Startup Using other people’s equipment, from midnight to eight in the morning, Madonna and her crew completed her first demo tape. But she was very strategic about sharing it. First she built rapport and earned the respect of a former talent scout for Island Records, Disc Jockey Mark Kamins. “I hung out for about a month at Danceteria before I got enough courage to tell him I had a tape for him to listen to. I didn’t want to sound like another girl with another tape.” It worked. Kamins used his connections to help Madonna win her first record contract. “I planned the whole thing,” she said. Use Naysayers For Motivation Naysayers and detractors were rocket fuel for Madonna. In her riveting acceptance speech for Billboard’s Woman of The Year Award Madonna opened up about the hardest personal challenges of her career. “To the doubters and naysayers and everyone who gave me hell and said I could not, that I would not or I must not ,” she said, “Your resistance made me stronger, made me push harder, made me the fighter that I am today.” Give A Voice To Others In the same speech, Madonna reminded the audience about what life was like when she first moved to New York City. She said, “People were dying of AIDS everywhere. It wasn’t safe to be gay, it wasn’t cool to be associated with the gay community.” Madonna has bravely challenged sexism and homophobia, using her fame and power to champion for gay rights and promote equality. She’s been there and knows of what she speaks. In the spirit of giving voice to others, Madonna has embraced newcomers to the stage. When Britney Spears and Lady Gaga became stars, she appeared on stage with them at awards shows and on Saturday Night Live, thrilling her fans and introducing her to a younger audiences who can also appreciate her role in music history. Things To Ponder ---It takes courage not to comply with the expectations and rules others have for us. Consider a time you had to truly stand your ground. Were the consequences what you expected? Would you change anything? --- Legendary leaders move away from the pack and aren’t afraid to take some arrows in the back for doing so. Think of other leaders you admire. What penance have they paid for their actions? Do you think it’s worth it? ---As you rise, put a hand out for others and help them. Chances are you’ll find it very fulfilling and it makes for good Karma.

I think some people here should have several seats. I don't think it's very dignified to discuss someone's physical appearance, let alone in a special topic. It has no value, nor is it informative. But Madonna's selfies do show that a lot of people could use some introspection considering all the hate and selective indignation being thrown around here. Creating a topic like this is nothing but creating a pandemonium where shit goes down. And I do believe we, as Madonna fans, can do much better than that.

We can't stop people from talking about a picture she posted, and I'm sure we've all talked shit about the way someone looks at some point in our lives but we really don't have to stoop to tabloid-level comments about her appearance. Speculating about surgeries to criticize her or telling her what she needs to do with her own body is not respectful, to her, to women or to any human. This isn't TMZ or The Daily Mail. I agree with critiquing art but i don't agree with body shaming and misogyny. I hope we all deep down know the difference. Critiquing a song, disliking an album, is not the same as talking shit about how she looks.

Having a thread in a forum about somebody's body (to me) is just not a good idea. I'm sure no negative intentions were intended by the OP however. A thread like this is just asking for people to get upset, annoyed or up in arms.

Did you record one?

I don't doubt for a moment that Madonna knows what she is doing. If she posted the photo as a means to expose people's thoughts, than that is fine with me. It is not the photo that is bothering me, it are the suggestive remarks regarding ageism and misogyny. I know perfectly well Madonna herself chose to share this photo with us, knowing it would cause a commotion cause controversy. But sometimes I don't like our tendency to put Madonna and others under a microscope to analyze their anatomy. I understand it's human nature, it's just not to my personal taste. I find it horrifying that in this day and age we, as human beings, still have to meet certain standards in order to 'fit in'. I admire Madonna for trying to break with these standards, but she must realise it comes with a price: being ridiculed and body shamed. And I'm sure there are members here who must have experienced the same, who read the comments in this thread and maybe feel as if they are not good enough to meet the standards imposed by today's society. I'm a warrior for inclusion, that is what lights my fire. And that is what made me say that some people should have several seats. If that made me stoop low then I apologize.

I mean this really shows how many ZERO fucks she gives. She’s not ashamed, she’s not concerned, she’s proud. Whatever imperfections she might assume people see, is nothing to her. Because we ALL know, she’s laughing. this is Madonna at her finest, NOT.GIVING.ANY.EFFS lol. Proud of her.

A thread like this is not ideal, but I think she posted the photo for a reason. Madonna lighting a fire to expose what people really think is what she does. Even though some fans want to take her phone away I think she knows what she's doing by now. So if we have to have a talk about respect, etc, come from it, then maybe it's not so bad to have the thread and expose things to the surface. We don't need to have a flamewar and honestly I think people have contained themselves pretty well. I know some comments are bothersome to read, but we don't have to stoop low in return.

"I come to you with all my flaws" I love here just the way she is, imperfections and all. That what makes her her.

2 children came out from her body + 4 children she's raising + 60 years of existance + menopause her body is great and you have to deal. we could only wish to be in such shape @ 60 . Bye ;)

Compiled by Nichu94 Singles and Digital Tracks: 1..Like A Virgin..................1984.....5.475.000 2..4 Minutes......................2008.....5.325.000 3..Like A Prayer..................1989.....5.300.000 4..Vogue..........................1990.....5.100.000 5..Hung Up........................2005.....5.000.000 6..Papa Don’t Preach..............1986.....3.850.000 7..La Isla Bonita.................1987.....3.750.000 8..Into The Groove................1985.....3.625.000 9..Crazy For You..................1985.....3.400.000 10.Music..........................2000.....3.400.000 11.Frozen.........................1998.....3.350.000 12.Justify My Love................1990.....2.875.000 13.True Blue......................1986.....2.825.000 14.Holiday........................1983.....2.650.000 15.Who’s That Girl................1987.....2.650.000 16.Material Girl..................1985.....2.400.000 17.Live To Tell...................1986.....2.350.000 18.Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.....1996.....2.275.000 19.This Used To Be My Playground..1992.....2.175.000 20.Angel..........................1985.....2.050.000 21.Ray Of Light...................1998.....2.050.000 22.Express Yourself...............1989.....1.775.000 23.Borderline.....................1984.....1.675.000 24.Beautiful Stranger.............1999.....1.675.000 25.Dress You Up...................1985.....1.575.000 26.Secret.........................1994.....1.575.000 27.Don’t Tell Me..................2000.....1.575.000 28.American Pie...................2000.....1.550.000 29.Take A Bow.....................1994.....1.525.000 30.Open Your Heart................1986.....1.500.000 31.You’ll See.....................1995.....1.475.000 32.The Power Of Goodbye...........1998.....1.450.000 33.Give Me All Your Luvin’........2012.....1.425.000 34.Cherish........................1989.....1.375.000 35.Die Another Day................2002.....1.375.000 36.Erotica........................1992.....1.325.000 37.Miles Away.....................2008.....1.225.000 38.Causing A Commotion............1987.....1.200.000 39.Lucky Star.....................1984.....1.175.000 40.Give It 2 Me...................2008.....1.150.000 41.Hanky Panky....................1990.....1.125.000 42.I’ll Remember..................1994.....1.100.000 43.Sorry..........................2006.....1.100.000[ 44.Rescue Me......................1991.....1.050.000 45.Me Against The Music...........2003.....1.050.000 46.You Must Love Me...............1996.......975.000 47.Celebration....................2009.......975.000 48.Rain...........................1993.......950.000 49.Gambler........................1985.......900.000 50.Keep It Together...............1990.......725.000 51.Deeper And Deeper..............1992.......775.000 52.American Life..................2003.......675.000 53.Human Nature...................1995.......600.000 54.Bad Girl.......................1992.......575.000 55.What It Feels Like For A Girl..2001.......575.000 56.Nothing Really Matters.........1999.......550.000 57.Dear Jessie....................1989.......450.000 58.Hollywood......................2003.......450.000 59.Oh Father (1)..................1989.......425.000 60.The Look Of Love...............1987.......400.000 61.Everybody......................1982.......375.000 62.Bedtime Story..................1995.......375.000 63.Get Together...................2006.......375.000 64.Jump...........................2006.......375.000 65.Girl Gone Wild.................2012.......375.000 66.Burnin Up......................1983.......350.000 67.Santa Baby.....................1987.......300.000 68.Drowned World..................1998.......300.000 69.Love Profusion.................2003.......250.000 71.Ghosttown......................2015.......240.000 72.Love Don’t Live Here Anymore(2)1995.......200.000 73.Fever..........................1993.......175.000 74.Nothing Fails..................2003.......175.000 75.Revolver.......................2010.......150.000 76.Bitch I’m Madonna..............2015.......130.000 77.Another Suitcase...............1997.......125.000 78.Oh Father (2)..................1995.......100.000 79.One More Chance................1995.......100.000 80.Bye Bye Baby...................1993........75.000 81.Spotlight......................1987........50.000 82.Turn Up The Radio..............2012........50.000 83.Love Don’t Live Here Anymore(1)1985........15.000 + 2.000.000 (other digital tracks) >> TOTAL: ~125.000.000

Madonna has not been touring for years she has just been busy being a mum to her children etc etc she may like the rest of us normal human being put a bit of weight on ...i really dont see anything wrong with her body in the photo ..yall haters need to listen to her amazing song beautiful scars

I can't wait for the thread "Madonna's Body at 70." I hope she is posing almost naked (or even full tit 'n minge), still pissing off the world and continuing to fight the ageist, misogynistic press. Long may she and her wrinkles Reign!

This is where I have issues. I try to always be respectful, never name call (except for calling people moaners!). But this post is full of anger and accusations. Why is it OK for you to attack people like this but when people simply try to defend Madonna from being body shamed we are accused indirectly of being unbearable, full of drama and talking shit. Total double standards. You even posted pics of Gaga to try to fan the flames. There is nothing wrong with critiquing Madonna's appearance but when it becomes unnecessarily personal and "bitchy" it crosses a line. And no I'm not talking shit about your comment, I am simply responding to it. This whole thread sucks and is an embarrassment tbh. PS, to the mods. I am so sorry for getting involved in these arguments again! I'm putting myself back in my cage and will stop now.

No offense but that's a lot of "give me". If what she gives now is so bad, nobody is forcing anyone to "take" it really. "Madonna, give me this. Madonna, do this and that." I don't think she ever took orders. I'm not a huge fan of the pic but I like her stubbornness of doing whatever the fuck she wants. What she's really doing is challenging things. A rebel forever. I see her becoming more like a female Iggy Pop. And I really don't mind - on the contrary.

Facts? Well, then... Don't present your opinions as facts 'cause they aren't. The only fact here is that she has AGED, which is what we are all supposed to do and it is perfectly fine.

I have not said a thing yet because i feel embarrassed to talk about somebody's body especially a woman. I know she posted the pic in the first place so she opened that door but seriously i'm not offended by her body, a 60 y/0 that bore 2 children, i'm offended by the comments offended by it, telling her what she should do or shaming her body. Seriously ? Would you like her or strangers doing the same to you ? Are you that perfect that you can judge other's appearance ? and even if that the case what gives you the feeling that you should, must whatever....do it ? You are just participating in spreading a poison that will one day be directed at you and you'll wonder why people are so cruel to you then...I felt exactly the same when the media went after Serena Williams a few years back. Let people be, let them accept themselves the way they are, they are not asking for your permission, they are just telling this is whom, what and how i am. If you feel like you don't like her for that then don't follow her anymore, nobody forces you to, plenty of popstars out there...If you stay with that mindset then the problem is you and there's nothing she or we can do about it to help you go throught the trauma Ring a shrink and ask him or her why it bothers you so much, what it reveals about you to yourself that you can't deal with. Madonna is an over confident person in a world where we are taught to not be, to feel ashamed of what and who we are because consumerism is about selling us things we don't need so they are forced unto us by pushing the buttons of our insecurities. Madonna has always done what is considered embarrassing things to get things moving because she does not sugarcoat things and she will keep on doing so because that's her thing as she gets older in an ageist society that gives her plenty to fight. Madonna has always kicked the doors open brutally (not sugarcoating or saying please) for everybody and while they were judging and mocking her they were still going through that open door. It seems like she's not subtle in her ways in the first place but years later we realize she was because she broke that door without people really noticing she freed them.

I think it falls into the category of Take Me With All Of My Beautiful Scars way of thinking. Some people look at those imperfections as gross or ugly and they shouldnt be put into display; the fear that people will put us down or denigrate us because of our imperfections. The picture itself means nothing. Its just a picture... take it or leave it. Its how we respond to it that gives it power because that says more about who we are as people; or who we choose to be as people.

Honestly, new music won't bridge the divide. Does anyone recall the mayhem on the "fan-required quality of the album"? The divide has nothing to do with having new music or not. The divide has to do with arrogance. Everyone's an expert...

This new album not being released yet is driving us all crazy!! Once again, I understand both sides: those who find the picture daring and provoking, and those who find the picture ugly and useless. It seems impossible but both are right. We really have nothing else to talk about than the same old stuff: Blond Ambition reels, ageism, fandom. Every discussion seems to end in the forum divided in two. We really need new music. Music (and definitely not social media) makes the people come together.

If u wanna stop liking her for this, then u should question urself if u ever liked her at all, to begin with. Just saying.

I am all for celebrating a women's body, but what is this picture for or about? It's a bad selfie of her in her knickers, in front of a dirty mirror, showing her pubes? Really. Awful pic. This makes me want to stop liking her, not because of her body, I think it's beautiful, but because of this incessant need to be noticed and talked about, no matter what the cost, and unfortunately, I suspect the same is happening with fans and the general public. Give me the classy Madonna of years gone by, give me the Madonna who defined sexy, give me the Madonna who garnered respect. Helen Miran championed the sexy older body, when she was photographed in a bikini at 63, notice that she's not showing pubes, and not showing a reflection from a dirty mirror.

I've seen the Blond Ambition Tour so many times that I already don't know if I cared if it was released on DVD now lol Is DVD still a thing?

Me neither

Why is it so shocking to see an older woman's body? Why is it such a taboo for a 60 year old to show her not-20-year-old body? Picture may not be flattering to the public, but it's real and I'm sure lot of women can relate to her.

I love the dark shadow of that hairy pussy. Yas girl, do whatever the fuck u want, if u wanna show off for the sake of it, JUST DO IT. here's the original pic, by the way, no screengrab: https://instagram.fmad7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/vp/e3c2076f7a14310ca0713010c89bc404/5B8863A8/t51.12442-15/e35/39902794_216493935892655_4248980655959965696_n.jpg

Take her cell phone away.

One sweet day...

I love how this part of 'Deeper and Deeper' developed along the tour. Even between the Sydney and Fukuoka dates. This section really shows her vocals are amazing.

time wont do this...… you're saying she's been great for 57 years & then suddenly her body decided to look like this????? no no no.... 1 she's been careless about fitness & working out the past two years... 2 she did a plastic surgery for hips + ass.... these are FACTS.