My advice to women in general: Even if you're doing a

Hear, O daughters and sons of tomorrow, the counsel of Nicki Minaj, who proclaimed: “My advice to women in general: Even if you're doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want—and don't allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge.” This is not the boast of vanity, nor the empty cry of pride. It is the call to self-mastery, to dignity, and to the unshakable awareness that each soul has the right to command its own destiny.

For too long in the ages past, women were taught to shrink, to bow, to yield their voices. Many were told that their labor was enough, but their leadership unworthy. Yet the wisdom of this quote declares that leadership begins not with a title or position, but with a mindset. Even in the humblest work, one may carry oneself with the authority of self-respect, knowing one’s worth, guarding one’s decisions, and refusing to be ruled in ignorance. This is the essence of treating oneself like a boss—to hold fast to one’s agency, to never surrender the right to choose, to act, and to know.

Reflect, then, upon the story of Harriet Tubman, once a slave with no power, no title, and no wealth. Yet she carried herself with the certainty of a leader. She knew what she wanted—freedom—and she refused to let others dictate her fate. Through courage and cunning, she became not only free herself but the liberator of many. She had no office, no nine-to-five, no formal power, yet she embodied the spirit of the boss: decisive, fearless, and unwilling to let her life be run by others. Her story is proof eternal that true authority begins within.

But let us also beware the shadow side. Nicki Minaj warns against arrogance, for leadership is not tyranny. A true boss is not one who belittles others, but one who walks with clarity, humility, and resolve. To know what you want is not to trample on others, but to walk your path without hesitation, and to protect the dignity of your own choices. In this balance lies the secret strength: boldness without cruelty, firmness without pride.

The heart of this teaching is empowerment. A woman—or any person—who treats herself as a boss refuses to be kept in the dark. She does not permit others to control her finances, her work, her dreams, or her future without her knowledge. She insists upon awareness, for knowledge is power, and power once surrendered is difficult to reclaim. This is not rebellion against order—it is the establishment of rightful self-governance.

So, O listener, the lesson is clear: do not wait for the world to crown you with authority. Wear the invisible crown already, in the way you walk, in the way you speak, in the way you make your choices. Even in the quiet desk job, even in the unseen corners of labor, treat yourself as the master of your fate. Know what you want, set your course, and demand the respect of being included in every decision that concerns your life.

Practical action lies open before you: manage your own affairs wisely, whether they be finances, career, or relationships. Learn the details of what affects your life; do not hand over your future blindly. Speak with confidence, not meekness; say what you mean and mean what you say. And above all, believe that your life is yours to lead.

Thus remember Nicki Minaj’s words: to be a boss is not to be arrogant, but to be awake, aware, and assured. Carry yourself with that spirit, and no one shall run your life without your knowledge. And in this, you will find both strength and freedom, the twin pillars of all true leadership.