Suezette Yasmin Robotham has recruited talent for companies such as Google, Meta and Salesforce, and she knows the significance of a title or work persona. However, in an era marked by career disruption and economic uncertainty, Robotham is shifting how professionals see themselves with her new book, Beyond Titles: Fearlessly Leading and Living Authentically at Work.
Beyond Titles arrives at a pivotal moment, offering both hope and guidance to readers facing the most challenging job market since 2003. Throughout 2025, headlines have delivered daunting news about unprecedented layoffs across industries from tech to media, with Black women disproportionately affected by the cuts. Reports indicate that nearly 300,000 Black women exited the workforce in 2025 alone, making their unique challenges with career identity and resilience more urgent than ever.
In Beyond Titles, Robotham responds directly to this reality, encouraging readers to ask, “Who are you when the titles fade away?” She provides practical tools to help people rebuild or rediscover a personal identity amid the chaos, especially when job loss triggers identity crises or shrinks professional networks.
Robotham’s work acts as a guide for anyone navigating spaces where traditional definitions of success no longer apply.
Blavity spoke with Robotham about the roadmap she lays out in Beyond Titles and how she is helping Black women understand that strength and fulfillment come from defining themselves by what they give, not just what they list on a résumé.
Beyond Titles emphasizes leading and living authentically, even amid professional uncertainty. How can authenticity serve as an anchor when someone is forced into an unplanned career transition?
Suezette Yasmin Robotham: Authenticity, to me, means leading and living from what you believe to be true, and doing so from the healthiest and most productive version of yourself. When you are faced with an unplanned career transition, that belief gets tested. For so many of us, especially Black women, a title has often been tied to our sense of worth, stability, and even pride. Losing that title can feel personal. But it is also a moment for clarity. It is a space to pause and ask yourself: What inspired me in my last chapter? Where was I truly aligned? And what no longer fits who I am becoming? For me, those questions have guided how I think about what is next and what kind of experiences I want to create moving forward.
Authenticity becomes your anchor in that space. It helps you move through uncertainty without losing yourself. It reminds you that your value was never just in a job or a title, but in who you are, what you bring, and how you lead. Beyond Titles is about exactly that. It is not only about leading fearlessly, but about the reset that happens when you revisit your “why,” reclaim your power, and permit yourself to reimagine who you are and how you want to live. Because even when your title changes, your truth stays the same, and that truth is what keeps you steady and whole.
Having worked inside major companies such as Google, Meta, and Salesforce, what did you observe about how corporate cultures reward titles versus genuine leadership?
SYR: Having worked for major tech companies like Google and Meta, I have been fortunate not to have my title limit me. I have built business cases for multimillion-dollar programs, sat alongside senior executives whose decisions reached the CEO, and led initiatives grounded in my own vision and strategy. The gift of working in tech is that when you position yourself as a strategic partner, a problem solver, and a visionary, your impact can extend far beyond your title. That said, I have also seen how much corporate cultures can still overvalue hierarchy. Titles can shape access, voice, and visibility in ways that often have little to do with capability or leadership. True leadership is not given by title. It is earned through influence, relationships, and the consistency of your results. That is why building strong relationships with mentors, allies, and sponsors is so important.
When people throughout an organization can speak to your impact and integrity, they help expand your reach. Your network becomes the amplifier of your work, not just the audience for it. We often say your network is your net worth, but in large companies, it’s also your credibility currency. When people know who you are, how you lead, and the difference you make, you start to remove the barriers that titles can create. This belief shaped much of what I share in Beyond Titles. Leadership begins when you stop waiting for permission to lead. The work of influence, purpose, and alignment is what defines you, not the words printed on your business card.
What initial steps do you recommend for professionals who are redefining their identity after a layoff? Especially those whose self-worth or identity has been tied to their job titles?
SYR: The first step is to give yourself permission to feel it. Allow yourself to grieve. Too often we rush to fix it, to update the résumé, to find the next thing. But a layoff impacts more than your employment status. It can shake your confidence, your rhythm, and your sense of identity. You need space to process that before moving forward. You never want to start a job search from a place of fear or desperation. You are not just “open to work.” You are open to your next great opportunity. That reframe matters because it shifts your energy from loss to possibility.
Once you have honored the emotions, start reflecting on your “why.” What kind of work energizes you? Where did you feel most aligned in your last role? What kind of environment supports your best self? The answers to those questions become your compass. You want to move from a place of abundance, not from a place of lack. That begins with releasing the shame that sometimes comes with a layoff and recognizing that your value was never defined by a title. It is defined by who you are, what you contribute, and how you rise again. As I write in Beyond Titles, authenticity is not a fixed state. It is an evolution. It is the ongoing work of becoming who you are meant to be, even when everything around you is shifting. You are not starting over. You are continuing your becoming.
You have released Beyond Titles during one of the most challenging job markets in over two decades. How did current economic conditions and the state of the employment pool shape your message or urgency in writing the book?
SYR: This book has really been ten years in the making. I started talking about the idea of “covering” in the workplace nearly a decade ago, and Beyond Titles is the natural continuation of that work. But I think the timing of its release in the middle of this 2025 wave of economic uncertainty has made its message even more urgent. Over the past few years, we have seen a steady change in what job security looks like. Companies that were once rewarded for growth for its own sake are now being pushed to focus on sustainability, margins, and efficiency. That shift has changed how people think about their careers and their sense of stability.
The truth is, the world of work is evolving faster than ever, especially as emerging technologies reshape entire industries. We can no longer define ourselves solely by our job titles. We have to start thinking more holistically about who we are, what skills we bring, and the impact we create. This is a skills-first, skills-forward economy, and the professionals who will stand out are the ones who can clearly articulate the outcomes they drive, not just the positions they have held. The way we used to go to work will not be the way we find or create our next opportunities. That sense of urgency shaped this book. Beyond Titles is about redefining success, reimagining how we talk about our value, and reclaiming our sense of worth. Titles may change, but your impact, your integrity, and your ability to adapt are what make you future-ready.
Nearly 300,000 Black women have left the workforce in 2025, reflecting deep inequities in opportunity and retention. What systemic changes do you believe organizations must prioritize to counter or change this narrative?
SYR: As one of the nearly 300,000 Black women who have left the workforce in 2025, this moment is deeply personal to me. Behind every statistic is a woman whose career, identity, and contribution mattered. When I think about what systemic change should look like, accountability is at its center. Organizations have to be willing to look inward through honest equity assessments. It is not enough to make statements about diversity, belonging, or representation, especially in this shifting political climate. Some companies say they are staying the course, yet at the same time, they have made decisions that disproportionately impact Black women. For them, and for those who have pulled back entirely, this is a reminder that diversity, equity, and representation are not optional. They are business imperatives.
Representation is your differentiator. It is your superpower. A representative workforce is how you expand opportunity, drive innovation, and meet global market potential. The politics will continue to shift, but the organizations that think long term understand that inclusion is how you stay relevant, competitive, and connected to the world you serve. Accountability is not punitive. It is reflective. It is the willingness to hold up a mirror and ask: Are we creating the kind of workplace where everyone can rise, contribute, and be seen for their impact? And for those of us who have left, even in this moment, our stories, our brilliance, and our resilience remain undeniable.
After years of promoting diversity hiring initiatives, what does this moment reveal about how sustainable, or performative, those initiatives truly were? What should companies do to change that?
SYR: This moment is revealing. For years, many companies have talked about diversity hiring, but now we are seeing who built sustainable systems and who built performative ones. The reality is that many organizations made commitments without building the infrastructure to sustain what they started. I see this as an opportunity to evolve. The future of this work is not only about diversity. It is about culture. It is time for companies to think beyond a Chief Diversity Officer model and start building toward a Chief Culture Officer approach. Culture shapes everything: how people are hired, developed, promoted, and retained.
Having a diverse, high-performing team is good for business. It drives innovation, strengthens decision-making, and expands market reach. The companies that understand this will treat the current moment as a chance to reset how they define and invest in talent. Sustainability means equity is not a separate initiative. It is embedded in how decisions are made, how success is measured, and who gets to lead. This is not a moment to retreat. It is an opportunity to rebuild with intention so that progress is driven by principles, not politics or headlines.
During this shaky economy, we’ve continuously heard the idea of reimagining what success means. Is that a positive, beneficial practice to put in place when considering career fulfillment?
SYR: I think this is such a beautiful and important practice. We have to start seeing success beyond titles, beyond compensation, and beyond external validation. Success today might look like mentoring someone and watching them grow, or choosing peace and alignment over burnout and proving yourself. This is really what Beyond Titles is about. Fulfillment isn’t defined by the role you hold. It’s shaped by the alignment between who you are, what you value, and how you show up in the world. When you lead from that place, success becomes more meaningful and more sustainable.
And yes, in an abundant universe, anything is possible. We limit ourselves when we let institutions, systems, or old versions of ourselves define what we can become. This is the time to dream bigger, to build lives that honor both our ambition and our well-being. Success is not just about what you achieve. It is about who you become in the process. I believe this for me, and I believe this for y’all, too.
In times of mass professional uncertainty, what does career fulfillment look like if one chooses not to return to the traditional corporate path?
SYR: You know, I think career fulfillment can look a lot of different ways right now. And honestly, entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. We sometimes make it sound like the only alternative to corporate life is starting a business, but that’s not true. My friends who are entrepreneurs are some of the most incredible people I know, but fulfillment can show up differently for each of us. When your world shifts suddenly, it’s okay if your next step doesn’t look linear. Fulfillment doesn’t always come with a title. It often starts with curiosity. Maybe it’s leaning into a passion, or finding new ways to do something you love. For me, that could look like teaching Pilates, something that keeps me grounded and aligned.
And there’s no shame in returning to corporate if that’s what feels right. Stability is still success. Fulfillment isn’t always about leaving. Sometimes it’s about choosing differently, setting better boundaries, or redefining what success means to you. What I encourage everyone to do, no matter the path, is to keep learning. Especially in AI, because it’s our new superpower. There’s so much opportunity ahead for people who understand how to use it. Even small steps—taking a class, reconnecting with mentors, or exploring a creative interest—can help you rediscover your sense of purpose. In an abundant universe, anything is possible. You’re not starting over. You’re starting aligned.
What mindset shifts are essential for professionals who want to move from career survival to purpose-driven employment?
SYR: I think one of the biggest mindset shifts is remembering that your purpose does not disappear when your position does. For me, faith has been a big part of that understanding. I believe in a higher power, and I genuinely believe in the blessings that can come even through something as difficult as a layoff. When you open your hand to release what no longer fits, you also open it to receive what is next. That is really what Beyond Titles calls people to do. To get regrounded in their values and remember who they are outside of any workplace or title. Ask yourself, who am I beyond what I do? What do I believe in? What gives me meaning? When you start from that place, you move from surviving your career to living your purpose. I also want to honor that this kind of transition is not easy. People have families, responsibilities, and real financial needs. But even in that reality, you are still your greatest asset and your greatest investment. Living with purpose is not about ignoring the hard parts. It is about choosing to believe that there is more ahead of you than behind you, and giving yourself the space to become.
How can professionals use the lessons in your book to pivot industries or create more aligned career paths despite a rough economy?
SYR: Professionals can use the lessons in Beyond Titles to pivot industries or create more aligned career paths by starting with one simple but powerful practice: interrogating their why. For so long, many of us have followed expectations about who we should be or what success should look like. We have been told to chase certain titles or paths, often without pausing to ask, Is this truly aligned with who I am and what I value? This book helps you do that deeper work. It is a guided reflection that invites you to examine your beliefs, motivations, and sense of purpose, especially the parts shaped by other people’s expectations. My book also gives you practical exercises and practices you can use to support this work. It helps you reconnect to your values and your intent so you can make choices that reflect who you are becoming, not just who you have been.
If you are in a season of uncertainty, start small. Reflect on the moments when you have felt most alive and effective. What were you doing? Who were you helping? What problems were you solving? Those clues can point you toward your next aligned move. You can also begin journaling, seeking feedback from trusted peers, or exploring roles that build on your natural strengths. Even in a rough economy, alignment creates opportunity. When you are clear on your values and your purpose, you can see where your skills and passions intersect with what the world needs. And if you cannot make a big change right now, that is okay. Doing the internal work of clarity and alignment means that when the right door opens, you will be ready to walk through it. Different does not mean less. Different can be incredible!!!