Watching Netflix series and shows is definitely a fun hobby. It is a way to spend time, meet new places and stories, but also an amazing source of lessons and inspiration. In the past few weeks, I’ve been totally obsessed with The Bold Type.
Work-Life Lessons
While I was imagining myself walking in New York’s streets and suffering from Kat, Jane, and Sutton’s problems, I realized: there’s a lot we can learn from the series. And, I’m not only talking about how to deal with heartbreak and how to convince your Editor-in-chief about a story you need to pursue. I’m talking about life, work, and entrepreneurial lessons.
The 5th and last season is already up. Therefore, we are here today to understand all about the show that is melting millennials’ and gen Z’s hearts. So join us on this interesting ride.
Everything About The Bold Type
Created by Sarah Watson, The Bold Type tells the story of three friends with completely different personalities: Jane (Katie Stevens), Kat (Aisha Dee), and Sutton (Meghann Fahy). The trio works in the popular women’s magazine Scarlet, following the world of fashion and political issues as well.
Between novels and plot twists, they support each other to deal with everyday dramas. On the streets of the Big Apple, even passing through Paris, the girls, their co-workers, and friends face the difficulties of balancing professional and personal lives in the best possible way.
The series talks about feminism, sorority, love, politics, friendship, and loyalty. It is possible to see their evolution as professionals. But, at the same time, we clearly understand the changes in the fashion market, in journalism, and how the digital era has – and still is – changing the market.
In addition, the series raises important flags. There are discussions about the issues of the LGBTQ+ community, it talks about the difficulties that a queer woman faces. Furthermore, he discusses sexual abuse at work, speaks of the #MeToo movement gently. Also, it highlights extremely important agendas for women such as sex, freedom of choice, and loyal friendships.
Of course, like many shows and movies, there is an exaggeration. You will hardly walk into a magazine office and see a fashion closet that size. Or even seeing journalists going to the company’s parties and enjoying themselves as guests – when, in real life, they take the opportunity to work harder and create content. But even so, there’s a lot we can learn from Jane, Kat, and Sutton’s journey.
A True Story?
Well, in case you already don’t know it, The Bold Type is based on real facts!
The career of journalist Joanna Coles, former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, is the great inspiration of the series. Although the three protagonists are fictional, the conflicts and challenges they face are very similar to those Joanna experienced at the beginning of her trajectory as a journalist.
The character Jacqueline Carlyle, head and mentor of the trio, is a direct reference to her performance in the times when she was in charge of the well-known women’s magazine – even her hair is similar. So it’s no coincidence that Scarlet’s content and audience are so similar to Cosmo’s.
Creator Sarah Watson even spent time in the newsroom following Joanna’s work and interviewing more than 20 employees while designing The Bold Type. In addition to being a source of inspiration, the journalist is also an executive producer of the series.
6 Legit Lessons The Bold Type Teaches Us
Between the beautiful outfits and the cosmopolitan lifestyle of new yorkers, the show can teach us a lot. And, for that, you don’t need to read between the lines, you just need to be aware.
Those lessons are not only for girls who want to work in magazines. Either just for Millenials and Gen Z. Entrepreneurs, business leaders… basically, everyone can learn from it somehow.
So, here are 6 tips that you should embrace for your life and/or work.
1. “Sometimes, you can’t play it safe, you’ve gotta take a risk”
This was a line from Jacqueline Carlyle, editor in chief of Scarlet. She gives this advice to Alex and then he replicates it to other co-workers. And, we can also get something valuable out of it. The idea is that the safest, or even the easiest, the path is not always the best way to go. Taking risks can be a game-changer for your career, your business, and your life.
2. The Future is Digital, Use That in Your Favor
In the show, we see Scarlet’s print issue ending. The magazine became fully digital. So, the team had to adapt and reinvent even more. The key is to understand the power of social media and use it to your advantage. In other words, understand exactly who you want to communicate with and how best to talk to this audience.
Going digital means positioning the brand in a way that it is recognized, helping to add value and, at the same, giving the possibility to reach a greater number of people. Whether through social networks, blogs, or other platforms, think that being digital is the basics today. But, highlighting and gaining recognition in this environment can be an essential differential for your company and brand.
3. There’s always a creative way to put your point of view out there
A message can be told in many different ways. For example, I could be here giving these same tips and not associating them with The Bold Type. But, let’s face it. Thinking about when Kat helps her friend who just got out of prison to get a job through a video where they make the same recipe with different ingredients is much more fun and easier to understand.
That’s the secret! Understanding how your audience likes to talk and tapping into the emotion when talking about important topics transforms any content into something really interesting. It is possible to talk about feminism and politics without bringing the weight that these issues naturally already have. This doesn’t detract from its importance, but it makes people captivate by its storytelling. Be creative and authentic and use that in favor of your business.
4. Stand By Your Beliefs
It’s not always easy and not everyone will understand it that way. However, if you have a subject that you believe in, don’t overlook your beliefs. Try conversations with your superiors and, if you are a leader, listen to your team.
Okay, certain online publications, for example, have a big impact, let Kat tell us. But, there are ways to defend what you believe and make a difference in the world by being correct. Whether it’s going against the “gay cure”, whether it’s running for an important government job, whether it’s doing a podcast, an Instagram post… and so on. The Bold Type shows us how important it is to stand up for what our hearts say because it can make fantastic differences for you, for the people around you, and the world.
5. Ethics Must Come First
Let’s say that the show doesn’t deal with the journalistic and professional ethical issues in the best way. However, throughout the episodes, we see how being ethical is essential. There is no boss’s request or money worth putting character and beliefs aside. As serious as some ethical dilemmas seem to magically resolve themselves, in real life this is not the case. No unethical attitude is justifiable and can have serious consequences. Before making any decision, remember this!
6. Other Women Are Your Allies, Not Your Competitors
This one goes exclusively to women. In our society, there is a myth that women we work with – or even have friendships with – are somehow our competitors. There is this feeling that if one wins, the other loses, and so on. But, the series shows with a masterful lightness that this is a sexist lie. The way co-workers help each other and join hands in solving problems is amazing. Sorority, that’s what feminism is talking about! Understand the women who work with you – what you cross paths – as your journey partners and your allies. Help and agree to be helped. So everyone goes further.
Did you like this article? Share it on your Social Media! And, don’t forget to check our previous post about people management.
