Manifestation as a Leadership Discipline in Business and Life
- Sarah Beth Herman
- Aug 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 3
Written by Sarah Beth Herman, CEO and Mentor to Growth-Minded Founders
Abstract
Leadership isn’t just about the next task on your calendar. Whether you're mentoring others, speaking on stages, scaling your business, or managing a growing brand, your brain is the foundation for every decision you make. This free training blog is a precursor to part two of the No Silver Spoons podcast series and offers science-backed, practical tools to help you align your mindset, leadership identity, and daily action. If you haven’t listened to part one, now is the time. And if you're ready to move beyond mindset theory and into aligned behavior, this blog will prepare you for what comes next.
Introduction: Clarity Before Momentum
We live in a world obsessed with performance metrics, productivity apps, and scaling strategies. But in nearly every mentorship session I lead, one truth remains consistent: growth begins with thought clarity.
This blog is not a recap of the podcast. It’s a setup. A chance to train your brain for intentional leadership before you hear my real-life application in the next episode. We’ll break down the mental discipline behind manifestation, how belief shapes behavior, and what neuroscience has to say about the way we lead, coach, speak, and scale.
If you are a mentor, business owner, public speaker, content creator, or coach—this is for you.
Your Brain is Already Leading: But where?
Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz refers to self-directed neuroplasticity as the ability to consciously rewire your brain through thought and action (Schwartz & Begley, 2002). Every day you are repeating internal language about your capacity, your value, and your readiness.
If that language is outdated, your leadership will be too.
The thought loop sounds like:
"I need to be more ready."
"What if I mess this up?"
"I don’t know if I’m qualified for that stage/program/opportunity."
But here's the science: repetition builds belief. Not just emotionally, but neurologically. When you repeat a sentence out loud, visualize success, or make one aligned decision per day, you're telling your prefrontal cortex (decision center), limbic system (emotion), and motor cortex (action): "We do things differently now."
Manifestation Without Movement is Just Daydreaming
One of the biggest misconceptions in leadership and entrepreneurship is that mindset alone creates results. But here's what the research shows:
Action + Repetition + Emotional Safety = Lasting Change.
Dr. Tara Swart (2019) writes that when we act in alignment with written goals, the brain reinforces them with stronger executive function and decision-making.
So how does this apply to you?
If you're a public speaker: visualize your audience’s response before you craft the talk.
If you're a mentor: write and speak your vision of client transformation aloud each day.
If you're scaling a company: rehearse the language of success before you're in the room with investors or clients.
This isn’t a manifestation strategy for your vision board. It’s a leadership framework that prepares your nervous system to receive the growth you’re building.
Repetition Creates Safety and Speed
You make better decisions when your brain isn’t in survival mode.
Repeated visualization and verbal statements reduce fear response by training your amygdala to stay calm (Swart, 2019). That means the more you speak your belief, the easier it becomes to act on it.
Start with These:
Morning Sentence: "I have built a business rooted in clarity, trust, and sustainable success."
Spoken Intention: Say it out loud while looking in the mirror—yes, daily.
Visual Cue: A sticky note on your laptop, your bathroom mirror, or your phone wallpaper.
One Daily Action: Act like the version of you who already achieved what you're working toward. Just one move per day.
These aren't motivational tricks. They're neurological reps.
Leadership Identity: Are You Ready to Receive?
Here’s what most mentors, speakers, and leaders skip: receiving.
We over-plan. We over-give. We over-function.
But when success shows up? We shrink. We feel awkward accepting compliments, visibility, or support. If you’ve ever brushed off a compliment, avoided raising your rates, or hesitated before launching a program because it felt "too much" — that's a receiving gap.
Brené Brown reminds us: "Worthiness is not earned through hustle. It is recognized in stillness." (Brown, 2012)
Manifestation is not just about moving toward what you want. It’s about being open enough to let it move toward you.
Action Plan Before the Podcast Drops
As part two of the podcast gets ready to launch, I invite you to start this free training practice today:
1. Write Your Morning Sentence
Write one present-tense sentence about the business, movement, or identity you are building.
2. Speak It Daily
Use your voice. Activate the Broca's area of the brain that helps encode long-term memory through language.
3. Create a Visual Cue
Let it be visible, constant, and simple.
4. Make One Aligned Decision Per Day
It could be:
Saying no to something that feels misaligned
Posting something vulnerable that represents your values
Hiring support before you feel fully "ready"
5. Receive Without Apology
Let praise land. Let results feel safe. Let your nervous system learn that it is okay to win.
Join the Mentorship Movement
I help business owners, leaders, and coaches rewrite their identity while scaling their brands, building their influence, and speaking truth over their work. If you’re looking for personalized mentorship, fractional support, or a strategic clarity session, visit:
And if you haven’t already: 🎧 Listen to Part One of This Series
References
Brown, B. (2012). Daring Greatly. Gotham Books.Schwartz, J. M., & Begley, S. (2002). The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force. HarperCollins.Swart, T. (2019). The Source: Open Your Mind, Change Your Life. Vermilion Publishing.Huberman, A. (2021). Huberman Lab Podcast. Retrieved from https://hubermanlab.com
You're not too late.
You're not too much.
You're just in the part where it becomes real.
See you Monday on the podcast. Let’s build what you were designed to carry.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Readers should consult with appropriate professionals for specific advice tailored to their circumstances. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of information and references; however, errors may occur. If you notice any inaccuracies or would like to suggest updates, please contact us at hey@sarahbethherman.com. © 2025 Sarah Beth Herman. All Rights Reserved. By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. This post may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. References included where known. Please email hey@sarahbethherman.com to report missing attributions or inaccuracies
Comments