For years, I approached my career like I was playing a game of checkers, passively waiting for my turn, hoping someone else would make a move that benefited me. I did good work, I was reliable, but I was fundamentally reactive. I waited for my boss to assign me interesting projects. I waited for promotions to be offered. I waited for opportunities to fall into my lap. And mostly? I just waited. I felt like a pawn on someone else’s board, frustrated by my lack of progress but unsure how to change the game.
Then I read Lilly Singh’s How to Be a Bawse. The title alone was a jolt. A “Bawse,” as Singh defines it, is not just a boss. It is someone who exudes confidence, reaches goals, and hurts hearts while rushing to the top. It is someone who takes control, makes things happen, and builds their own empire. Reading the book felt like a much needed slap in the face. It was loud, unapologetic, and brimming with a kind of fierce, earned confidence that I desperately lacked.
It taught me that if I wanted to stop being a pawn, I had to start thinking like a queen (or king). I had to stop waiting and start building. Singh’s “Bawse” philosophy is not just a collection of tips; it is a mindset, a playbook for taking complete ownership of your career and your life. Here are the rules that changed everything for me.
Rule #1: Ditch the Excuses, Own Your Outcomes (The Foundation of Control)
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This is the bedrock. A Bawse does not make excuses. They do not blame the traffic, the difficult client, or the slow economy. They understand that while they cannot control every circumstance, they can control their response. They take radical ownership of their goals and their results. If a project fails, they do not point fingers; they look in the mirror and ask, “What could I have done differently?” This shift from blaming external factors to focusing on internal control is the absolute foundation of taking charge of your career. It is the moment you stop being a victim of circumstance and become the driver.
Also read: 100 Insightful Quotes on Accountability
Rule #2: Schedule Your Hustle (Mastering Discipline and Work Ethic)
Singh is unapologetic about the importance of hard work. A Bawse does not believe in shortcuts or overnight success. They understand that ambition without action is just a daydream. But it is not just about working long hours; it is about working smart and consistently. This means scheduling your priorities. You do not just “find time” for important work; you make time. You treat appointments with yourself, whether it is for deep work on a project or learning a new skill, with the same sanctity you would give to a meeting with your CEO. Discipline is not glamorous, but it is the engine of achievement.
Also read: Deliberate Practice for Skill Mastery
Rule #3: Be the Smartest Person in Your Room (Commitment to Continuous Learning)
A Bawse is never complacent about their knowledge. They are relentlessly curious and committed to continuous learning. This is not about having the highest IQ; it is about having the strongest growth mindset. They actively seek out information, ask questions, and are not afraid to admit what they do not know. They understand that the moment they stop learning is the moment they start becoming irrelevant. Whether it is reading books, taking online courses, or learning from colleagues, a Bawse treats their brain like a muscle that requires constant exercise.
Also read: How to Never Stop Learning and Growing
Rule #4: Build Your Empire, Not Just Your Rolodex (Strategic Relationship Building)
Singh emphasizes that networking is not just about collecting contacts; it is about building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. A Bawse understands that success is a team sport. They are strategic about who they build relationships with, focusing on people who inspire them, challenge them, and can potentially collaborate with them. Importantly, they focus first on adding value to others, rather than just thinking about what they can get. They build an “empire” of allies and supporters by being genuinely helpful and reliable.
Also read: Business Networking
Rule #5: Don’t Just Climb Ladders, Build Them (Creating Your Own Opportunities)
This is perhaps the most empowering rule. A Bawse does not just wait for the perfect job opening or the ideal project to come along. If the opportunity they want does not exist, they create it. This could mean pitching a new initiative within your company, starting a side project to build a new skill, or volunteering for a challenging assignment that nobody else wants. It is about shifting from a passive consumer of opportunities to an active creator of them. You are not limited by the existing ladders; you have the power to build your own.
Also read: Why Initiative is an Essential Leadership Trait
It’s a Mindset, Not a Job Title
Reading How to Be a Bawse did not magically transform my career overnight. But it fundamentally shifted my mindset. It gave me the permission, and the playbook, to stop waiting and start acting. It taught me that “Bawse” is not about being loud or aggressive; it is about being fiercely intentional, relentlessly disciplined, and radically accountable for creating the outcomes you want.
It is a commitment to playing chess, not checkers, in your career. It is the understanding that you are the CEO of your own life, and the power to shape your future rests firmly in your own hands. You do not need anyone’s permission to be a Bawse. You just need to decide to be one.
If you are ready to take control and build the leadership skills needed to become a “Bawse” in your own career, explore FocusU’s programs designed to empower and develop leaders.
