BOSS up! Paving the way for future excellence in Black leadership

It’s Tuesday morning and I’m sipping my routine latte. It’s pretty great. Not because of the caffeine that fuels me for the day, but because I’m drinking it from my special pink mug that has the word “BOSS” in bold letters on the side. And today, I get to raise that mug to Jennifer King and her barrier-breaking achievement on becoming the first Black woman to serve as a full-time coach in the National Football League with The Washington Football Team.

For a franchise in the throes of a racial reckoning and pending name change, as well as allegations of misogynistic behavior within the organization, King’s hire is tactical, necessary, and right. Anyone who dismisses the move as merely damage control or a “diversity hire,” dismisses the over-a-decade experience as a college coach and professional football player she possesses. Expertise, immense skill, and a fresh perspective earned this position.

This is what barrier breaking is all about. It is infectious. It feels good. Breakthroughs for Black women are happening across all sectors. More importantly, those breakthroughs are happening in the C-Suite. Black women are feeling more empowered to drop fears of being an imposter.

Imposter syndrome is a state of mind that causes one to doubt her skills, abilities, and achievements. This state of mind is understandable when you have never seen anyone who looks like you achieve the dream you hold in your heart.  Every time one of these “first” events occur, it has a huge impact on the psychological and mental state of countless minorities. It’s a disruption of hope, a jolt of optimism.

Both hope and optimism are leadership strategies and energizers that inspire action and dare people to dream of what could be. King’s achievement just turned somebody’s dream into a real possibility. 

As avenues to greater respect and power open up for women everywhere, I’m struck with curiosity about what “firsts” face. It seems there is often tension between confirming or denying the notion of Black women and their greatness. As a CEO and Leadership Fixer, I know what it means to have to carefully craft language and meticulously strategize to get a seat at the table. And when you finally arrive, it feels like you have to be better than perfect to be respected.

As many of us step up to lead, how do we deal with the long list of challenges at the top? We celebrate, show up, and reject old ways of thinking that do not serve us. It’s a shift that isn’t easy or without obstacle, but so very worth the pursuit. 

I can’t help myself, so please forgive me in advance, but Jennifer King’s hire is a touchdown. I know, I know…I couldn’t resist! My poor use of a pun doesn’t diminish her shine, her ray of light that is pointing toward a wave of “firsts” that are sweeping across our nation (I see you fellow Howard alum, Vice President Kamala Harris).

To my fellow trailblazers, glass-ceiling busters, and those who are just beginning to dream, please remember that your ability to “BOSS UP” has just been reconfirmed. Stand tall, raise your glass (or coffee mug) high, and go win those games!

Talia Fox, CEO of KUSI Global, a transformational leadership development firm, helps leaders all around the world master skills to gain power and influence, break barriers, win and find their happy.  She holds an M.Ed. in psychology and is a Harvard University Fellow. She has assisted leaders in the development of innovative strategies for some of the most critical and complex missions globally, including defense, wealth inequalities, racial and social justice, aviation, and healthcare. Talia helps organizations maximize human potential by leveraging strategic intelligence and fostering connected cultures to promote conscious equity.  She has facilitated and designed thousands of interactive learning experiences that support cultural competence, organizational intelligence, productivity, and leadership strategies. Her trainings are widely sought after, and she has been invited to share her expertise in leadership and business strategies globally.