There's a conversation from a Boz interview that I included in my book because it radically changed how I thought about leadership and impact:
"The conversation centers on hiring, specifically how to interpret a resume.
Posner plays devil’s advocate.
"Some of your stints haven’t been that long. Would you consider yourself a job hopper? How would you evaluate your own resume?
Saint John doesn’t blink."
“Whether someone’s been in a job for six months or ten years, the only real question is this: what did you do there? How did you create impact? If they made an impact in six months, great. If they spent ten years doing one thing, I don’t want them.”
In one move, she reframes the conversation. Not by reacting defensively, but by exposing the flawed assumption underneath it."
This is the highest compliment: "before her, my ambitions were theoretical. her image alone rewired my imagination, fundamentally shifting the boundaries of what i believed was possible for myself." Now THAT is some EN-ER-GY! Dern. Maya please keep going!!! LOL some of this is triggering -but in a good way. It's unearthing memories I've buried and helping me as well!
i hope you know i’m starting to wonder “what will lauren say” after we press publish. she did! had never seen anyone like her before. tell me what’s triggering or what’s coming up? it’s helps me think about how i can keep best serve you 🤍
LOL!!! You must know this has become part of my morning routine — morning tea and FTL!! My path is a bit different from yours--and yes, I have drafts for some things now for my own Substack. Here's just one example: I worked on a film with an A-list celebrity back in 2007. I was 22 years old at the time, and I was almost 30 before I fully psychologically processed that 6-month experience. It was great, and it also showed me that my path was not going to be "that." I therefore am in awe of how many experiences you've had, so young at the time too, and where you are/were constantly within the dizziness that comes with being around that kind of high-vibrational energy while trying to keep your feet steady. Anyways, FTL is helping me realize that my instinct was right this whole time. I'm leaning into my path as a documentarian in South Carolina and really designing what looks like for me--with intention this time, not in a reactive way like before. Your writing has helped me see that everyone isn't going to understand my vision because I have to carve it out first--and even then it's only for those who are assigned to it. FTL is good for folks who are "in the woods" of their respective lanes and need to know they're not alone. Now that I have overwhelming evidence I'm on the right path, my questions surround "how do I really talk to my audience?" "how do I show people that my work is the difference between their cultural memory existing and not?" "how do I better own my voice while making tough decisions?" If you've read this far, thank you. I can think on how to be more specific to give you better feedback as well. I think what y'all ultimately do is normalize out loud that none of us were meant to fit in. Take care!
this is perfect. going to answer one of your questions in tomorrow’s newsletter. your insights are gold! and we are going to help you get to the place where you’re writing to your people. it’s clear you have so much to offer!
Reading this brought tears to my eyes. Because someone like Boz gave you permission to shed your truth. I’m a Fil-Am in advertising / marketing, often the only in the room. I exited that grind unwillingly… I miss the creative collaborations and potential and some projects, I miss my brilliant co-workers. But I agree with you, that there is a glass ceiling for some of us no matter how much we give. And for you, as a Black woman, to be both dismissed and the “savior” of a lying company is even more deplorable. In awe of you sharing this; I only just started to share some of mine for fear of retribution in the greater scope of job hunting. Looking forward to how you bring your stellar self to places you are celebrated.
when God is for you, no man can be against you. i’m clear on what my work is and the job to be done while i’m here on earth which is what allows me to write from this place of truth. i used to be afraid too that i would burn bridges with people. but what happened is real. and our hope is for more of us who have had access and been in the room to share the truth of what really happens. it’s never what it looks like! so grateful that you took the time to read and comment. and are so grateful to have you on our little corner of the internet 🎈
It's amazing how people's entire lives transformed once they had the language to interpret things like hurt, pain, sadness, and aspirations that doesn't necessarily align with society's linear approach to how people experience life, including curating your career. This mindset shift of exploration, experimentation and deciding when both no longer serve you is the ultimate freedom. Unattached but fully focused on obtaining what YOU want at no one's expense is a level of freedom that's aspirational for sure.
it helped me realize that a value i tend to provide (and LOVE providing) in my work is a shift in perspective for a team/company. so, it makes sense that my careers at particular places are going to be short-lived.
(analogy in my head is that you shouldn’t need a chiropractor to adjust you forever.)
yeah!!! which low-key sounds like how a consultant works. makes me curious if/how she (and the corps she works for) decide whether to join a C-Suite or operate as an external consultant doing a long engagement.
Thank you for these words. Years after being applauded as the best working for one of the most well known OG speakers out there I too was SHOCKED when they hired out for a role I was continuously told I was being prepared for. It was the last straw.
AND it’s a blessing I’m still figuring out, years later.
Reading things like this makes me feel less alone in it, despite the worry I still have that I made the wrong decision by opting out of a game that feels like it’s been designed for me to lose and/or suffer greatly while playing.
you are exactly where u need to be. the game is ABSOLUTELY designed for people like us to lose. you chose yourself and your worth. and that is something we should be celebrating! what are up to now?
I’ve been running an interpersonal communication and conflict consultancy for almost 7 years but because of *gestures around wildly* many of the people and clients (nonprofits mostly) I typically served are impacted so I’m in transition looking for both clients and in-house work these days 😮💨🤞🏾
first, drop the link if you consultancy here. maybe there’s someone who will see it and need the services you offer.
second, we help people in transition to have language for their work and what their real work is. if something like that would be useful to you, shoot me a dm and i can share more.
ultimately i pray you keep going, trusting God and trusting your brilliance and genius 🎈
I really enjoyed this, Maya! And the part about us being more aware than ever…once we see the brokenness in a system, we don’t have to be a martyr in order to fix it.
We can move on to better opportunities that affirm our brilliance without losing ourselves in the fight.
This was so good! So many people argue- “Is LeBron really the G.O.A.T?” I’ll let the statisticians and arm char warriors run that debate but one thing we can’t deny as you so eloquently stated was that he is LeBron, Inc. and I love that for him. He and you are showing us here are “The Rules” that have been written but what game (and not a game) do I really want to play. Shoot do I even want to play at your playground?! Baby, I got my own jump rope, let me go spin it and you can watch me and even join in if you want to try a new way.
Brilliant insight! I needed to read this. A year ago I was abruptly let go from a high paying job and I’ve decided to build my own company and brand in the entertainment industry!
There's a conversation from a Boz interview that I included in my book because it radically changed how I thought about leadership and impact:
"The conversation centers on hiring, specifically how to interpret a resume.
Posner plays devil’s advocate.
"Some of your stints haven’t been that long. Would you consider yourself a job hopper? How would you evaluate your own resume?
Saint John doesn’t blink."
“Whether someone’s been in a job for six months or ten years, the only real question is this: what did you do there? How did you create impact? If they made an impact in six months, great. If they spent ten years doing one thing, I don’t want them.”
In one move, she reframes the conversation. Not by reacting defensively, but by exposing the flawed assumption underneath it."
Clocked his ass
hahahaha!
you have a book?!
This is the highest compliment: "before her, my ambitions were theoretical. her image alone rewired my imagination, fundamentally shifting the boundaries of what i believed was possible for myself." Now THAT is some EN-ER-GY! Dern. Maya please keep going!!! LOL some of this is triggering -but in a good way. It's unearthing memories I've buried and helping me as well!
i hope you know i’m starting to wonder “what will lauren say” after we press publish. she did! had never seen anyone like her before. tell me what’s triggering or what’s coming up? it’s helps me think about how i can keep best serve you 🤍
LOL!!! You must know this has become part of my morning routine — morning tea and FTL!! My path is a bit different from yours--and yes, I have drafts for some things now for my own Substack. Here's just one example: I worked on a film with an A-list celebrity back in 2007. I was 22 years old at the time, and I was almost 30 before I fully psychologically processed that 6-month experience. It was great, and it also showed me that my path was not going to be "that." I therefore am in awe of how many experiences you've had, so young at the time too, and where you are/were constantly within the dizziness that comes with being around that kind of high-vibrational energy while trying to keep your feet steady. Anyways, FTL is helping me realize that my instinct was right this whole time. I'm leaning into my path as a documentarian in South Carolina and really designing what looks like for me--with intention this time, not in a reactive way like before. Your writing has helped me see that everyone isn't going to understand my vision because I have to carve it out first--and even then it's only for those who are assigned to it. FTL is good for folks who are "in the woods" of their respective lanes and need to know they're not alone. Now that I have overwhelming evidence I'm on the right path, my questions surround "how do I really talk to my audience?" "how do I show people that my work is the difference between their cultural memory existing and not?" "how do I better own my voice while making tough decisions?" If you've read this far, thank you. I can think on how to be more specific to give you better feedback as well. I think what y'all ultimately do is normalize out loud that none of us were meant to fit in. Take care!
documenting for "cultural memory". I can't wait to see how you express this in your films...and your writing. ;)
this is perfect. going to answer one of your questions in tomorrow’s newsletter. your insights are gold! and we are going to help you get to the place where you’re writing to your people. it’s clear you have so much to offer!
Very powerful, Maya. I love how you connected the model of Boz to LeBron, and seamlessly wove your own experience into it. This was a joy to read.
it was so fun to make the connection!
Reading this brought tears to my eyes. Because someone like Boz gave you permission to shed your truth. I’m a Fil-Am in advertising / marketing, often the only in the room. I exited that grind unwillingly… I miss the creative collaborations and potential and some projects, I miss my brilliant co-workers. But I agree with you, that there is a glass ceiling for some of us no matter how much we give. And for you, as a Black woman, to be both dismissed and the “savior” of a lying company is even more deplorable. In awe of you sharing this; I only just started to share some of mine for fear of retribution in the greater scope of job hunting. Looking forward to how you bring your stellar self to places you are celebrated.
🙏🏽
when God is for you, no man can be against you. i’m clear on what my work is and the job to be done while i’m here on earth which is what allows me to write from this place of truth. i used to be afraid too that i would burn bridges with people. but what happened is real. and our hope is for more of us who have had access and been in the room to share the truth of what really happens. it’s never what it looks like! so grateful that you took the time to read and comment. and are so grateful to have you on our little corner of the internet 🎈
Sometimes all it takes is one person to let us feel safe enough to allow the words and emotions to freely flow so we can leave a toxic environment.
the last thing i saw coming. thank u for reading and being on our quaint little corner of the internet 🎈
It's amazing how people's entire lives transformed once they had the language to interpret things like hurt, pain, sadness, and aspirations that doesn't necessarily align with society's linear approach to how people experience life, including curating your career. This mindset shift of exploration, experimentation and deciding when both no longer serve you is the ultimate freedom. Unattached but fully focused on obtaining what YOU want at no one's expense is a level of freedom that's aspirational for sure.
i totally agree. once you have language for the feeling or revelation, everything changes. so good to see you here shavaughn 🎈
Hanging on to every word! Each week I’m so excited to open the email with your Substack and vulnerable and relatable sharing!
so grateful for you jill! 🎈
this just changed my brain chemistry. THANK YOU.
lol glory to God. say more pleaseeeee
not sure if this will make any sense, but:
it helped me realize that a value i tend to provide (and LOVE providing) in my work is a shift in perspective for a team/company. so, it makes sense that my careers at particular places are going to be short-lived.
(analogy in my head is that you shouldn’t need a chiropractor to adjust you forever.)
this makes complete sense. you come in, do your work. and your work is done. and it's time to move on.
yeah!!! which low-key sounds like how a consultant works. makes me curious if/how she (and the corps she works for) decide whether to join a C-Suite or operate as an external consultant doing a long engagement.
Thank you for these words. Years after being applauded as the best working for one of the most well known OG speakers out there I too was SHOCKED when they hired out for a role I was continuously told I was being prepared for. It was the last straw.
AND it’s a blessing I’m still figuring out, years later.
Reading things like this makes me feel less alone in it, despite the worry I still have that I made the wrong decision by opting out of a game that feels like it’s been designed for me to lose and/or suffer greatly while playing.
you are exactly where u need to be. the game is ABSOLUTELY designed for people like us to lose. you chose yourself and your worth. and that is something we should be celebrating! what are up to now?
Thank you for the affirmation 🙏🏾
I’ve been running an interpersonal communication and conflict consultancy for almost 7 years but because of *gestures around wildly* many of the people and clients (nonprofits mostly) I typically served are impacted so I’m in transition looking for both clients and in-house work these days 😮💨🤞🏾
i’m imagining the j alexander gif in my head.
first, drop the link if you consultancy here. maybe there’s someone who will see it and need the services you offer.
second, we help people in transition to have language for their work and what their real work is. if something like that would be useful to you, shoot me a dm and i can share more.
ultimately i pray you keep going, trusting God and trusting your brilliance and genius 🎈
www.getcurios.org
I really enjoyed this, Maya! And the part about us being more aware than ever…once we see the brokenness in a system, we don’t have to be a martyr in order to fix it.
We can move on to better opportunities that affirm our brilliance without losing ourselves in the fight.
Thank you for sharing!
this is exactly it. wish i had started moving like this earlier 🤍
This was so good! So many people argue- “Is LeBron really the G.O.A.T?” I’ll let the statisticians and arm char warriors run that debate but one thing we can’t deny as you so eloquently stated was that he is LeBron, Inc. and I love that for him. He and you are showing us here are “The Rules” that have been written but what game (and not a game) do I really want to play. Shoot do I even want to play at your playground?! Baby, I got my own jump rope, let me go spin it and you can watch me and even join in if you want to try a new way.
exactly! thank u for reading and being a part of our community 🎈
Listen…. Just pick up my call neeeoowww!!
sooooo grateful for your facetime.
The ground is forever moving underneath us. We have to impose stability. That’s how I view balance.
this is correct… “we” have to impose it. it’s not going to be given to us. thanks for being here johanna 🎈
Spreading the word about imposing stability (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) is indeed my mission.
This really interrogated my own thoughts about Boz, and re-enforced a theory about corporate work I have always had. Thank you for the reminder!
hi, whit!!
Hi Kevin!!! Love what you two are doing!
whitney!!!!!
Maya!!! So happy to keep up with you on here!
i hear permission to be unapologetically great! thanks sis! 🙌🏿👏🏿🙏🏿✊🏿
🤍
Brilliant insight! I needed to read this. A year ago I was abruptly let go from a high paying job and I’ve decided to build my own company and brand in the entertainment industry!
let’s go! you can do it. we are rooting for you!