Madonna has always been the epitome of reinvention. Around the world, different generations have cited her as a definitive role model. How has she lasted so long? The answer is a useful guide for planning as well as lesson in celebrity.
She started selling donuts on Times Square and went on to be, at different times a Virgin Mary figure, a catholic sinner, horny teaser, disco diva, zen driven fitness fanatic, gay icon, bawdy cowgirl and everything in between. On the face of it, she’s wildly inconsistent and has stayed fresh by constantly changing. She sees is a bit differently.
" I hate this obsession people have about me reinventing myself. For me it’s all about revealing. I keep on taking off layers".
Assuming it’s true, Madonna displays layers of what she’s always been. Each reveal is just a different aspect of the same person. Edward de Bono discussed something similar in Six Thinking Hats. He argued that the best way to tackle a problem isn’t head on, but using your head. Each situation calls for a different approach, or ‘hat’. Madonna has just taken it a bit further: instead of putting on a different hat, she exposes another, hitherto, unfamiliar facet of herself. Even though it’s new, it feels strangely familiar.
Longevity doesn’t have to mean a choice between clinging to the same idea or constantly starting from scratch. Maybe a more useful way of looking at it would be what aspect to reveal this time. This needs a rich, authentic voice in the first place of course……
NORTHERN PLANNER 
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