In this Mentor Me episode, Evan Carmichael introduces his "one word" philosophy—believe—and explains his goal of learning from great leaders to help entrepreneurs improve. He frames the video as a lesson from Nelson Mandela, inviting viewers to comment on their favorite clips and the lessons they will apply. The bulk of the video consists of a curated montage of Mandela’s speeches and anecdotes, covering themes such as fighting both white and black domination, the importance of consistent principles, refusal to be drawn into other nations' internal affairs, humility in everyday interactions, the dire impact of poverty on human dignity, the need for national reconciliation, nation‑building, and the willingness to die for one’s principles. Mandela also shares personal stories—an awkward telephone exchange, a tourist’s confusion about his fame, and a mention of increasing old‑age pensions—illustrating humility and the practical outcomes of his leadership. The episode closes with Evan’s call‑to‑action, a shout‑out to Anthony Avina for reviewing his book "Your One Word," and a brief, humorous line where Mandela pretends to review the same book. The overall purpose is to extract seven actionable "rules" for commanding respect, using Mandela’s words as a template for entrepreneurial mindset and personal growth.
Chapters
Hello, Believe Nation! My name is Evan Carmichael. My one word is believe, and I believe that entrepreneurs will solve all of the major problems in the world. I started the Mentor Me series with the goal to try to hang around people who've done a lot more than us, and hopefully by spending more time with them, some of their mindset, their thoughts, their beliefs, their attitudes, their way of looking at the world seeps into us to help us become the best version of ourselves. So today we're going to learn from Nelson Mandela and some of his best speeches. Mentor me, Nelson. Rule number 3 is my personal favorite, and I'd love to know which one you guys like the best. And as always, guys, as you're watching, if somebody says something that really resonates with you, please leave it down in the comments below and put quotes around it so other people can be inspired. And when you write it down, it's much more likely to stick for yourself as well. Enjoy.
I have fought very firmly against white domination. I have fought very firmly against black domination. I cherish the ideal of a new South Africa where all South Africans are equal. For anybody who changes his principles depending on whom he is dealing, that is not a man who can lead a nation. Apparently, Mr. Koppen, you have not listened to my argument. If you have done so, then you have not been serious in examining it. I have replied to one of our friends here that I have refused to be drawn into the differences that exist between various communities inside the USA. You have not commented that I am going to offend anybody by refusing to involve myself in the internal affairs of the USA— of the USA. Why are you so keen that I should involve myself in the internal affairs of Cuba and Libya? No. I expect you to be consistent. I don't know if I have paralyzed you. No, no, no, no, no. No, I'm afraid, Mr. Mandela, that paralysis does not set in quite that easily in my case. The point, uh— When I phoned some place in my country and a lady answered the telephone, I then asked, "To whom am I speaking?" She said, "You're speaking to me." I said, "Well, lady, I know I'm speaking to you, but what's your name?" She said, "Who are you to ask for my name? What's your name?" I say, "Well, lady, as soon as you tell me your name, I'll tell you mine." But as we argued as to who should tell his or her name, she became very cross. And she said, "You seem to be a backward person. Have you passed your matric?" Now, matric in our country is a university entry examination. And I said, "Well, lady, you must be very careful, because if the qualification to speak to you is the possession of a matric certificate, I might work hard and pass my matric and be in the same class as you are. That was treason. She said, you will never be in my class, and banged the telephone. How I wish she were here today. She would now discover that I have achieved more than pass my matric. The very right to be human is denied every day to hundreds of millions of people as a result of poverty. And the unavailability of basic necessities such as food, jobs, water and shelter, education, healthcare, and a healthy environment. As I sit in Kuno, my village, and grow as ancient as it feels, I will continue to entertain the hope that there has emerged a cadre of leaders in my own country and region, on my continent, and in the world, which will not allow that any should be denied their freedom as we were, that any should be turned into refugees as we were, that any should be condemned to go hungry as we were, that any should be stripped of their human dignity as we were. The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us. We have at last achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender, and other discrimination. We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete, just, and lasting peace. We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people for national reconciliation For nation-building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. Then you were convicted in 1964. For conspiracy against the state. And in your— when you pleaded, you said that, "I am willing to die for this cause." This is a very tough thing to say. Yes, I had to say that, not from a spirit of bravado, but because I genuinely felt that they were going to hang us. And it is the desire of every freedom fighter to disappear under a cloud of glory rather than that of shame. It is the task of a freedom fighter, when you see that the end of your days has come, to leave a tradition of bravery, determination to face evil, death for your principles. And I thought about it. It was not because I was brave, but because one had a duty to perform at that moment. I have dedicated my life to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society. In which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an idea for which I hope to live for. And to see realized. But my Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. In 1993, I was walking along the street when I met a couple of tourists from a well-known Western country, and then the husband stopped and said, "Mr. Mandela." I said, "Well, many people mistake me for that chap." And he said, "Would I be entitled also to mistake you for for that chap. I say, well, you'll be doing what many people do. He then turned to his wife and said, darling, Mr. Mandela. She was completely unimpressed, and she said, what is he famous for? And the husband, in his embarrassment, dropped the voice. And he said, Mr. Mandela, Mr. Mandela. And the dear lady said, but I asked you, what is he famous for? And without waiting for an answer from the husband, she turned to me and said, what are you famous for? I must confess I couldn't answer that We are therefore pleased to announce that we are able once again to increase old age pensions. I'm very excited about this because In Davos in Switzerland, I told the plenary session that in a few months I'll be standing next to the road saying, please help, unemployed, no money, a new wife.
Thank you guys so much for watching. I'd love to know what did you think of this video? What was your favorite clip and why? What lesson are you going to pull from this clip and immediately apply somehow to your life or to your business? Please leave it down in the comments below. I'm super curious to find out. I also want to give a quick shout out to Anthony Avina from Anthony Avina Vlogs. Anthony, thank you so much for picking up a copy of my book, Your One Word, and doing that vlog review on it. I really appreciate the support, man, and I'm glad you enjoyed the read.
Today I'm gonna be reviewing a book for you guys called Your One Word by Evan Carmichael.
So thank you guys again for watching. I believe in you. I hope you continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is. Much love.
