Bozoma Saint John on Doing WTF You Want in Your Career
Nov 21, 2024
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Bozoma Saint John, a renowned marketing executive who's worked with brands like Pepsi and Apple, discusses her bold career transitions and move into reality TV. She shares insights on recognizing when to pivot and the importance of intuition in decision-making. The conversation also touches on the emotional rollercoaster of personal transformation and the balance between societal expectations and personal desires. Bozoma inspires listeners to embrace authenticity and pursue intrinsic fulfillment in their careers.
Bozoma emphasizes the importance of shedding old identities to authentically embrace new roles and opportunities for personal growth.
The podcast highlights the significance of being present and sharing real-time experiences to connect with one's true self and evolve.
Deep dives
The Metamorphosis of Change
Change is often likened to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, highlighting the difficulty of personal transformation. The process begins with the caterpillar entering a chrysalis, but this transformation requires it to devour its former self, turning into a liquid state before emerging as a butterfly. This analogy emphasizes that to evolve, one must let go of old identities and experiences, often going through discomfort and introspection. Many neglect the messy reality of this process, focusing solely on the beauty of the end result without acknowledging the painful journey required to achieve it.
Navigating Personal Identity
As individuals undergo change, they must confront the evolution of their identities, often feeling the weight of past roles. For a professional, shedding the identity tied to previous positions can be essential for growth and transformation. Acknowledging the skills that served them well in past roles, such as leadership during a global crisis, can create tension when transitioning into new ventures that require different capabilities. Embracing a new identity involves digesting previous experiences to make space for the new, allowing for authentic growth in life and career.
Embracing Present-Moment Authenticity
A shift towards being authentically present in one’s current life is a crucial aspect of personal transformation. This journey often entails a departure from past accolades and public perceptions associated with previous roles. By engaging with modern platforms, one can share their experiences in real-time, allowing others to understand their current selves rather than past versions. This desire for authenticity reflects a broader need to live in the present and connect with one’s true self, shedding former versions that no longer resonate.
Bozoma Saint John has had a storied corporate career leading immense marketing projects at Pepsi, Apple, Uber, and Netflix. Now, she is making the pivot to reality TV, joining season 14 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, as well as launching her new company Eve by Boz. In this episode, Bozoma talks with Tara about how she knows when it’s time to make a pivot, her secret to honing her intuition.
BOSSY, hosted by Tara Reed, brings you no-BS conversations about entrepreneurship, confidence, and leaning into your inner boss. Each episode, Tara puts on her boldest outfits and offers tactics and unapologetic advice – from the big names you love to the minds behind your favorite brands. New episodes drop on Thursdays – if you like the show, leave us a review and share with a friend!