Our world is made more colourful with the ones that have broken barriers and refused to stay in a box.
The curious and genuinely motivated have taught us all that what we have to do to get what we desire, is to think it – and of course, go for it.
Bozoma Saint John is a name that we can’t get out of our heads since she was announced as the Chief Brand Officer of Uber. Leading the PR team of one of Silicon Valley’s successful company is no easy feat- even more so as a black woman of African descent.
However, Boz, as she is called by her friends, isn’t a star made overnight. She definitely paid her dues leaving behind a trail of enviable success record.
I have been reading and watching many interviews she granted recently. Trust me when I say the more I know, the more my respect for her deepens.
I used to think achievements of the kind of height she has reached were only possible if one attended certain ivy league schools and racked up sky high qualifications. But it turns out being a badassBoz requires more character.
If you want to be badass at what you do, then bring out your note pad and jot away as I share with you what it takes to be as badass as Badassboz.
Be a Unicorn. Be Unapologetically true to yourself
In the words of Badassboz ‘Always be yourself, unless you can be a unicorn. And then always be a unicorn.”
“People are always going to tell you that you should be something else,” she says. “If you ask somebody their opinion, they’re going to give it to you, and it’s not going to be what you have. So why not just celebrate what you have? If you’re over here celebrating it, very seldom will people tell you that thing that you’re celebrating is not great.”
Being lost in the crowd isn’t what makes you badass. Bozoma works in an industry that is predominantly white male but she has never allowed that distract her as she owns her own.
Unicorns do not need to be mythical, you can be one. Do not allow the normal narratives distract you from going after what you desire.
Do not alienate yourself.
Success depends a lot on one’s personal drive but there is also so much to learn from others.
When asked by Kiah Mcbride of Xonecole on the positive influences in her life, Bozoma said,
“Oh yeah, squad life! There’s different squads, too. The other thing I have learned is not everyone solves every problem. You need different squads for different situations,”
Own Your Failures and learn from them
Being badass doesn’t mean you do not goof at anything. Matter of fact, being badass means you have a great mastery of your failures.
Talking about her brief stint in fashion, she said it was a bad career move. It was a noble effort that didn’t last. But instead of allowing herself stay down, she was on to the next.
If you are not failing, you are not doing something right, she said.
Be Compassionate
Movies portray successful people sometimes as cold blooded but Boz has a heart that shines through. Her ability to easily connect with people and help however way she can play a part in her securing the Uber job. She caught the attention of Ariana Huffington when she helped an uber driver meet his pop Icon.
Take risks
What bigger risk is there to take than to be the branding manager of unpopular Uber.
The badass thing is Bozoma isn’t a stranger to taking on big challenges. She was the brain behind a lot of major deals including Beyonce’s popular super bowl performance while working at PepsiCo.
Before Uber, she revolutionised Apple music as the head, Global consumer marketing division.
BadassBoz is not just another social media influencer with an interesting name, she is a woman that knows her onions and has grown in her close to 20 years in marketing and branding.
She was named 2016’s Female Executive of the Year by Billboard Magazine. She was also recognised as AdColor’s Rockstar in July 2017. She has been featured in Fortune Magazine’s Disruptors, Innovators and has also under Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People among other notable honours.
