The recent release of the UK’s gender pay-gap report has thrust the conversation regarding women’s position in the workplace further into the spotlight. Have you ever had to wrangle for your position?

Yes. Especially in terms of pay; I learned  my lesson and always come with my number first. It means that I’m prepared and understand what the market demands and what  people in a similar position are making.  I’m not waiting for someone to tell me some low ball number. I’m going to tell you what that number is. And if you choose to low-ball me then I know there’s not a place for me. I think it’s important for us to take the power back in that way. I can’t tell you how many times it has worked for me. And by the way, it works when you go in with it printed out. It’s like, “So here’s the information about what someone in this industry at this level makes, with the benefits.” [laughs] It’s very difficult for anyone to then disagree, because you have the proof.

Do you think people have that power in all levels of the workplace? 

Yes. It’s practice like anything else, and you get better at it as you go along.

You’ve been out driving an Uber to better understand the perspective of drivers and passengers. Where does this more human approach to business come from?

It’s tragic but that’s an interesting perspective. You know what? It’s just because I love people, meeting new people and watching strangers. You know how fascinating they are? My ear-hustle is strong, too. I love finding connections. I think part of what makes me successful is that that is literally what I’m doing all day. I’m making the connections between people and ideas. I drove an Uber Pool in San Francisco. It was really scary as there is a lot of pressure to do it right. When you are in a situation where you are servicing other people and you have to pay attention to all the different touch points, it’s overwhelming. You have to watch the road, the navigation, are they too hot, too cold, do you like the music, do you want me to talk or leave you alone? All the things that go through your mind when you’re driving.

You’ve had a fascinating career trajectory. On the surface it seems like it all happened fairly organically for you. Do you ever suffer from the classic imposter syndrome?

Honestly? No. I feel like I have always just followed my passion and what I want to do. There hasn’t been a moment where I have written out  a plan and said I’m going to do this thing in a year, and then the year comes and I’m like, “Oh God, I gotta go do that.” There hasn’t been a moment where I don’t feel that I can do it. I work harder to make sure that I don’t fail. One of my favourite people is P Diddy as he says he outworks everyone. I feel the same. People tend to believe you if you’re confident.

You share a lot on Instagram, and have even been accused of oversharing. Is it important to you to be accessible?

Yes, I have, which is ridiculous. It’s my Instagram. It’s important to me to remain human. Yes, I go on vacation and wear bikinis. Or I’m in meetings and meet interesting people. Or I go out and dance my ass off. I feel it’s important for people to know who leaders are. This is a time when transparency is important, and we are not just concerned with a façade of a company name but who is in the board making decisions. Who are those people? What are their beliefs? The things that make us more human. And maybe, if I’m more relatable, the audience I’m trying  to talk to will understand the decisions I make. And that’s really important to me.

Uber’s chief branding officer on how to be a ‘badass’ woman in business