Authenticity in Action: What We Can Learn from Bozoma Saint John

I know in the past we've talked about how showing up and showing out can catapult you into living out your wildest dreams-TED Talks, high-paying and consulting gigs. But there's nothing quite like seeing it in action.

Enter: Bozoma Saint John.

This veritable powerhouse is a vibrant, brilliant Queen of authenticity.

You may know her as the Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, but before the C-Suite titles and the awards rolled in, she was just a smart, ambitious woman who made a choice - a choice to show up as she is, fully.

And let's be honest, that's not always the easiest choice. Whether it's rocking a green pantsuit at work or going full 'fro in the boardroom, someone always has something to say. It doesn't matter how much you've achieved; there's always someone who's not quite ready for your level of unapologetic Blackness.

And that's fine. We weren't meant to blend into the background.

Bozoma, or Boz as many call her, is a shining example of not just what's possible but what will happen when you choose to show up as yourself. When you have the courage to be vulnerable and authentic, people take notice, and that can lead to a world of opportunities you could never have dreamed of.

A Little About Bozoma

So, if you're not familiar with Boz...I'm not sure what corporate rock you've been under!

I'm not just fangirling over here—she taught a program for MBA candidates at Harvard Business School called "Anatomy of a Badass," launched a limited podcast series alongside Katie Couric called Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, was the first Black woman C-Suite level executive, and played a significant hand in shifting the toxic culture at Uber. Is a kick-ass CMO, most recently at Netflix.? And now, the author of The Urgent Life - her first memoir.??

I could keep going on and on, but I think you get the point-the woman is a boss, and she's changing the game.

She learned from her mother at an early age that the differences she had from other kids and everyone else in the world were worthy of being seen and celebrated. In interviews, I've heard her say that her mother was steadfast in preserving their culture when they relocated to Colorado; she made no attempts to fit in. Even when teenage Boz's friends would come over to the house, her mother would make traditional dishes - no pizza or mac and cheese to be found. Today, Boz brings that same level of unapologetic boldness to everything she does.

Clearly, there's a lot to be gleaned from her journey, but I want to focus on three key lessons in particular.

Live out loud & show up as the whole you.

Courage and vulnerability go hand-in-hand, and showing up as the phenomenal, unedited version of yourself requires just that. No one needs the watered-down version of you! And, yes, that includes your Blackness.

You are not for everyone, and that's okay.

A significant part of investing in cultivating your personal brand is aligning yourself with the right people, organizations, and opportunities. But in order to do that, you have to bring your whole self to the party—even in a professional context.

In this Glamour interview , Boz says it all, "Bring your whole self to work. I think it's really important even now as I sit in this seat because bringing your whole self is a very human thing. This is not the resume; this is the stuff that makes you, you. It's what makes your story interesting and unique(...) Be your whole self. If there’s an opportunity to share an idea or, hell, even to dress up for the office, be your whole self. That’s the example I’m living for my daughter and other women. Being everything I am—that’s magical, and I want everyone to see it."

We are taught that in order to make it in the corporate world, we're resigned to code-switching and "socially acceptable" hairstyles (thank you, Crown Act for taking care of this). But, as Bozoma shows us, that doesn't have to be the case. You can create your own lane and find success on your own terms. You don't have to check any part of yourself at the door when you walk into the office (or any other room).?

So ask yourself, what would it look like for you to show up as your whole self in your career?

Would you wear your natural hair?

Would you boldly pursue that big passion project you've been dreaming of?

Would you be more vocal about the things that matter to you?

Would you redefine what the C-Suite looks like?

I challenge you to take the leap and find out because if you're not crafting your brand, someone else is going to.

Know when to pivot.

Don't be afraid to pivot, sis! There are a million different reasons you may want to switch lanes. Whether you've gone through a major life change, you want to pursue deeper passions, or you simply want something different—don't be afraid to make a shift.

After making history as the first Black C-Suite executive at Netflix, Boz decided it was time for a change—after just two years! It wasn't the first time she felt called for a shift and if her track record is any indication, it most certainly won't be the last. And, over the years, she has managed to parlay each transition into a more vibrant, fulfilling career path.

It doesn't matter if you're at the top of your game. It doesn't matter if everyone around you tells you, you're living the dream. It doesn't even matter if you've checked off every box on your 5-year plan. If something feels off, you owe it to yourself to explore your options.

In her interview with Odana Network , Boz shares, "Even in the jobs I've had along my career (...) because I'm constantly gleaning information. This is not just the paycheck. It's not just a title on my business card. I am making myself stronger every day, in every experience, in every meeting, and in every interaction. I am like a sponge just trying to get things out of those experiences, and once I am full, I am out. Because everything else is a waste of time."

Remember, you get to chart your own course. No one else gets to decide what's best for you but you. So, if you're feeling called to make a shift in your life or career—don't second-guess yourself. Just do it!

Leave the door open.

Whether you realize it or not, as a Black executive woman, you are actively making history. You're not just slaying your own goals; you're shattering glass ceilings and opening doors for the next generation of Black women leaders. So, while you're busy blazing your own trail, don't forget to leave the door open for others.

Boz is the epitome of Black girl magic, but even in her success, she remains grounded and dedicated to lifting up others. When she shows up as her whole self, it's not just for her. It's for every woman of color who's been told she doesn't belong. She is fully aware that the eyes of the world are on her, and she's using her platform to create opportunities for other Black women.

We bear a responsibility to those who come after us. We must continue to show up as our whole selves, unapologetically and unafraid, so that we can make way for the next generation of Black women leaders.

Look, there's a reason Boz's career has become a case study. It's not just what she does; it's the way she does it. In a world that encourages white, straight men to take up space, Boz inspires us to continually show up as our whole selves—no chaser. And in doing so, she's not only changing the game; she's changing the narrative.

So, what will you do to chart your course as an executive Black woman? How will you show up as your whole self? The world is waiting to meet you, sis!

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