We recently connected with Tonjua “tj” Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Tonjua “TJ”, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
When I was 14 years old I had a coach that shared something with me that would change my trajectory athletically, socially, and personally. At the time I saw myself as a basketball player, and the Varsity Football coach pulled me aside and told me he saw something special when it came to me as an athlete and person. Beyond being brand new to the game, he told me I had a skillset that could not be coached. From there, I took a leap of faith, trusting his judgment. He named me a starter on a veteran Varsity football team that became the first in school history to make the state playoffs. At the time, I was the only sophomore on the team and had been playing football for only a year; many of the rules and customs of football were still brand new to me. I had no fear or misconceptions and relied on natural instincts as well as what I was told to execute.
Fast-forward to the end of my high school career; I did become the player and person my head coach Stephon Thompson predicted, earning All-Area recognition and signing a full athletic scholarship to Northwestern University. This same framework has worked for me professionally when I had a leader suggest I consider managing a large team. Again, I was skeptical but was willing to trust a perspective outside of my own. This decision has afforded me the opportunity to be a force multiplier, working with talented sales professionals nationally. I’ve been blessed to learn and grow from being around great people who’s willingness to speak life into a different path that maybe I hadn’t previously considered was pivotal to the leader and person I am today.
Self-esteem is something we develop through intentionality, yet having influential leaders around us can help us ground ourselves in the areas that may not be in our short- or long-term vantage point.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Outside of being a sales leader in the Cardiovascular space, I have taken a great deal of pride in making sure underrepresented communities and voices are heard. To accelerate that mission, I lead the BOOST program to help black professionals secure jobs in the healthcare sector.
My mission is simple: Be More. Do More. It’s a mindset that has translated into a lifestyle.
This perspective is rooted in growth and service to the many communities I serve. Beyond this perspective, it’s about challenging limiting beliefs and inspiring others through consistency and prioritizing increasingly aggressive results.
The Boost Program has helped more than 40 black professionals transition into full time employment opportunities at Boston Scientific and more than 100 professionals land jobs in the medical technology space. This passion project has reframed how I view the world around me and accelerated my trajectory as a sales leader and human.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
This year I shifted my scope as a leader beyond products and pricing to focus on the 3 P’s:
1. People
2. Process
3. Performance
My formal education is in sociology, which is the study of people in groups. Couple that academic focus with the fact that I am the oldest of six and have been on teams my whole life and this framework has helped me level up in a variety of ways.
The first thing that is important to acknowledge is–performance is a lagging indicator based on how empowered people are to a clearly defined protocol of processes. If you want to predict how quickly someone will succeed as well as to what extent, truly understand what motivates that individual and there why behind showing up or not showing up each day. From there, pay close attention how well their words and actions align specifically when things ebb and flow with the currents of life. Knowing the person first, and then their clearly articulated process will reinforce the road map for how this individual will respond to both success and failure. More importantly, it’s also important to note how the past, present, future influences how a person to anchor towards growth or the status quo.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful things my parents did for me growing up and now is rooted in ensuring I was aware of my surroundings and environment. As a child, I was labeled as a student with behavioral issues.
My mom wouldn’t allow that narrative to see the light of day and aggressively shifted me into another class or into another school altogether. By time I got through the third grade, I was able to edit and rewrite my own narrative of success academically, athletically, and socially. From “struggling” in Detroit Public Schools to a full ride athletic scholarship- not bad right?
Beyond this, there was my dad who was always willing to privately give me truth and real-world perspective. When it came time for me to enter high school he “gently” suggested that I play football. He was involved every step of the way in my development including helping me train over the summers, corresponding with college coaches, and even accompanying me on my official visit which ended with me signing to play for the Northwestern Football program.
The combination of blocking negative narratives and overseeing my growth and development are qualities I apply to both business and personal relationships. It has allowed me to push hard while also tapping into what makes us human.
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