In 2020 of the top 200 bestselling business books, only 17 were written by women. That’s equal to the number of business bestsellers written by men named John or Jon. A statistic that is a compelling reminder of the importance of widening the lens and bursting the male-dominated bubble of thought leadership in the marketing industry. 

The male bias in marketing thought leadership begins early. Writing in the Harvard Business Review Lesley Symons, Leadership Coach and Mentor, revealed research showing that only 11% of top business school case studies have a female protagonist.

The Women in Marketing Fresh Reads series, in partnership with Dentsu Creative, aims to challenge the male-dominated narrative of marketing thought leadership. Each month winners and supporters of the Women in Marketing Awards are reviewing and highlighting the most innovative creativity, culture, and marketing books, which also just happen to be primarily written by women. Books that will be welcome additions to the reading lists of progressive marketers. 

This month Kai Deveraux Lawson, Host of Mixed Company Podcast and Creator of Mylifeofkai.com reviews The Urgent Life by Bozoma Saint John. 

When Women in Marketing approached me to review Bozoma Saint John's autobiography, The Urgent Life, I was not only unsure of what to expect in the book, but also completely blind to how my own life would parallel her insightful and rollercoaster filled journey. By the time I finished the last word of the last chapter, it would be her words that I owed so much gratitude, as they have become my own saving grace in a time of earth shattering personal change.

It is not often that we get a glimpse into the personal lives of successful and influential individuals like her. Instead, we are immersed in a whirlwind of news headlines, tweets and Instagram feeds that perhaps unintentionally posture a narrative of a peacefully powerful and near perfect existence. We come to know women of Bozoma's stature as corporate deities who, outside of the similarities of our professional ambitions and personal complexities, may never live the exact same day to day struggles, as we do. But as I delved deeper into the pages, I found myself in sisterhood with her, as she spoke about life, love, loss and rebirth in a way I had not yet been able to articulate, in the midst of my own grief.

Bozoma's writing is raw, honest, direct and vulnerable. She doesn't shy away from sharing her joys nor her struggles and heartaches. As someone who has also gone through similar losses (pregnancy loss, the passing of my brother, and job loss) all of them while I was reading this book, her words resonated with me on a deep level.

She touches on several taboo topics that traditional executives may find inappropriate for public discourse. From the complexities to balancing the traditions of her immigrant family with her desire to embrace her own path of life and love, to the realities of experiencing pregnancy and pregnancy loss as an ambitious woman in corporate America. Bozoma unapologetically leaves very little to the imagination about her journey to success and the adversity she endured.

Every chapter gave me permission to confront my own fears, insecurities and losses head on, while also reaffirming to me that vulnerability is not weakness. Bozoma's ability to relive the messiness of life alongside the reader, made for an epic and intimate experience. As the kids say today- it was the candor for me! I felt so seen, when I read about her initial response to her first pregnancy. I felt seen as she discussed losing her job in the middle of her life seemingly falling apart. And I felt the most seen as she detailed her final days as caretaker for her late husband. Chapter by chapter, I bore witness to a refreshing dose of real talk about real life.

While the book is not a traditional marketing how to book, it is most certainly a case study for uncovering the depths of personal strength through the lens and story of one of today's most visible and successful Chief Marketing Officers. The Urgent Life won't teach you how to be Bozoma Saint John, it is so much better than that; It encourages you to become the best version of yourself, despite harrowing obstacles. And in doing so, she underscores that urgency isn't about speed or racing against time- it's about being present and intentional in every moment. She shares: "I realised that when you're in darkness, instead of waiting for a ray of sun to appear, you sometimes have to find light within. You have to conjure the match, spark the flint, and ignite it yourself." Wise words from a real life badass.

The experiences and lessons shared in The Urgent Life are not just relevant to women in marketing or the corporate world, but to anyone who has ever experienced loss, faced adversity, or simply seeks inspiration and motivation. Bozoma's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of embracing vulnerability as a strength. It is her unwavering confidence and unapologetic authenticity that serve as a reminder for us all to embrace our true selves.

As I turned the final page of the book, I felt a sense of peace and purpose. I highly recommend The Urgent Life to anyone looking for a powerful and inspiring read that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on life's challenges with renewed determination. Thank you, Bozoma Saint John, for sharing your urgent life with the world. So much more than a book about her life, this was a healing experience.