Imagine getting fired… publicly. Not just a quiet exit, but a televised spectacle of corporate upheaval. Most people would see it as a career-ending disaster. Yet, one Netflix executive turned this seemingly devastating event into a powerful lesson in resilience and growth. CNBC reports on his surprising take: he’s actually “grateful” for the firing. Intrigued? We’ll explore how this unexpected perspective can help you navigate your own professional challenges.
Overcoming Public Failure
Bela Bajaria, the chief content officer at Netflix, has spoken publicly about her experience of being fired from her previous job as president of Universal Television in 2016. She referred to it as a “big public failure” that turned out to be “the greatest learning lesson”.
The Stigma of Being Fired
Bajaria noted that there is a certain stigma attached to being fired, especially for women. “We’re supposed to be perfect” and a dismissal is seen as “a blemish” on one’s record. She also pointed out that there is a lack of discussion around firings, which makes it difficult for people to open up about their experiences.
Separating Personal Identity from Professional Status
Bajaria shared that the first few months after her job were tough. She found it hard to distinguish her personal identity from her professional status and wondered if all the hard work she had invested in her career was worthwhile. She recalled thinking: “All those amazing shows, all these great relationships I built; I treated people so fairly. We had a lot of success — it meant nothing.”
However, the actual reaction to her firing challenged that perspective, she said. “I quickly realized, as the phone rang and I got job offers, and everybody reached out, and people were really supportive — it all mattered. The way I treated people, what I had done, the impact I left — it all mattered,” Bajaria stated.
She added that coming to terms with her firing and finding the upside of it is easier after nearly a decade of distance. “The first three months were really rough,” she said. “In retrospect I am so grateful that it happened,” Bajaria said. “I’m not scared of getting fired. It’s very liberating, actually.”
Lessons Learned from Failure
Bajaria’s experience has taught her valuable lessons about failure and its importance in personal and professional growth. She emphasized that failure is essential, and one should not be afraid of it.
Under Bajaria’s leadership, Netflix has become a destination for live events, including comedy specials, awards shows, WWE programming, and NFL games. Netflix films and series like “Bridgerton” and “Emily in Paris” have become global phenomena, boosting economies by hiring massive crews and encouraging tourism to the shows’ settings. Last year, Netflix received the most nominations for a single studio at both the Oscars and the Emmys with 107 nominations across 35 series, TV movies, and specials.
Finding the Silver Lining
Bela Bajaria has had an incredible nine-year run at Netflix. She joined in 2016 to oversee unscripted and scripted series, led the streaming giant’s push into live events and sports, and worked her way up to becoming the company’s chief content officer. But before then, she has what she calls a “big public failure” which turned out to be “the greatest learning lesson”: She was fired from her job as president of Universal Television after a five-year tenure and big accomplishments, including building a strong comedy roster with top creators like Tina Fey and Mike Schur.
“There’s amazing books and quotes and all this stuff about [how] you learn so much from failure, and failure is important, and you’re not trying hard enough if you’re not failing,” Bajaria told CNBC’s Julia Boorstin at the recent 2025 Changemakers Summit in Los Angeles. “And all of that is true, but then when you fail, nobody wants to talk about it.”
There’s plenty of gendered stigma that keep women from discussing their firings, Bajaria added, “because we’re supposed to be perfect” and a dismissal is “a blemish.” The first few months after her firing were especially tough, she said. She found it hard to separate her personal identity with her professional status and she wondered if the hard work she put into her career was worthwhile.
Bajaria recalled thinking: “All those amazing shows, all these great relationships I built; I treated people so fairly. We had a lot of success — it meant nothing.”
The actual response to her firing challenged that, she said. “I quickly realized, as the phone rang and I got job offers, and everybody reached out, and people were really supportive — it all mattered. The way I treated people, what I had done, the impact I left — it all mattered,” Bajaria said.
“I knew I could always look at myself in the mirror and [think] I liked what I had done. I didn’t have any shame around what I did. I thought it was really a great, successful run,” she added.
Coming to Terms with Failure
Bajaria was quick to note that coming to terms with her firing, and finding the upside of it, is easier after nearly a decade of distance. “The first three months were really rough,” she said. “In retrospect I am so grateful that it happened,” Bajaria said. “I’m not scared of getting fired. It’s very liberating, actually.”
Gratitude for a Liberating Experience
Under Bajaria’s leadership, Netflix has become a destination to watch live events including comedy specials, awards shows, WWE programming and NFL games. Netflix films and series like “Bridgerton” and “Emily in Paris” have become global phenomena and boosted economies by hiring massive crews and encouraging tourism to the shows’ settings.
Last year, Netflix received the most nominations for a single studio at both the Oscars and the Emmys with 107 nominations across 35 series, TV movies and specials.
Conclusion
In a surprising yet insightful revelation, a former Netflix executive has come forward to share the lessons learned from their public firing, stating it was a “greatest learning lesson” that has left a lasting impact. According to the CNBC article, the executive attributed their gratitude to the experience, highlighting the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone for growth. This sentiment echoes a growing trend in the business world, where executives are beginning to view setbacks as opportunities for self-improvement and skill refinement.
The significance of this topic extends beyond the executive’s personal experience, serving as a reminder that even the most challenging situations can hold valuable lessons. By reframing failure as a catalyst for growth, individuals can break free from the constraints of traditional thinking and develop a more resilient mindset. This shift in perspective has far-reaching implications for organizations and industries, encouraging a culture of innovation and experimentation. As the business landscape continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how this mindset shift influences decision-making and leadership.