Fired and Fearless: How Netflix's Content Chief Turned Public Setback into Her Greatest Strength

Netflix's Head of Content, Bela Bajaria, has opened up about how her very public termination at Universal Television turned into a turning point in her career-one that she now describes as "very liberating." In a talk during the 2025 Changemakers Summit in Los Angeles, Bajaria called the termination a "big public failure" that initially had her wondering about her value, even with a successful stint of developing hit shows and robust industry relationships.

 

Bajaria acknowledged the first three months post-her departure were emotionally challenging, as she found it difficult to disconnect her identity from her title. She remembered, "All those terrific shows, all these terrific relationships I established; I treated people so equitably. We had a lot of success - it meant nothing," she said, recalling how she felt then. But then the avalanche of support from coworkers and surprise job offers soon reversed her outlook, demonstrating to her that how she treated individuals and the difference she made mattered a great deal.

 

She highlighted the added pressure women face to be flawless and how dismissals are often seen as a “blemish.” Yet, with time, Bajaria came to embrace the experience, saying, “I’m not scared of getting fired. It’s very liberating, actually.” Looking back, she’s grateful for the setback, crediting it with teaching her resilience and freeing her from the fear of failure.

 

With Bajaria at the helm, Netflix has ventured into live events, sports, and international originals, solidifying its position as a streaming giant. Her narrative is now motivating numerous people to view failures as chances for progress and reinvention.

 

Source: Hindustan Times, NDTV, CNBC, Moneycontrol