SUMMARY:
In this episode we invite you to learn from Carla Harris (Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley), one of the most powerful leaders on Wall Street. In a conversation with Mitch Barns, Carla shares how to authentically bring your whole self to work, how to find commonality in diversity and inclusion, why relationships matter in a career, and more. No matter where you are at on your leadership journey, Carla’s wisdom will broaden your mind and encourage you.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
LEARN TO LEAD THROUGH OBSERVATION. When you are at the beginning of your leadership journey, start observing the leaders around you—both good and bad—and let them inform your own leadership choices/style.
KNOW “WHOSE” YOU ARE. Sometimes an organization’s viewpoint may clash with yours. By being grounded in your identity, you can communicate honestly and transparently about what the expectations of the organization (versus your own) and lead without fear.
IF YOU WANT YOUR TEAM TO BRING ALL OF WHO THEY ARE, YOU HAVE TO START WITH YOU. People still follow leaders and take their cues from them. If you celebrate people who risk bringing their whole selves to work, others will follow suit.
BEING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF INVOLVES DISCERNMENT. It’s not always wise or necessary to put ALL of who you are on display; be discerning by asking, “What part of me at this moment will authentically connect?”
UPHEAVAL IN WORK CULTURE HAS ALLOWED NEW CONVERSATIONS. Because so many people are working from home, the lines have been blurred between topics that are “work appropriate” and ones that are not. This uncertainty has allowed new conversations to happen which can allow people to potentially bring more of their authentic self to work.
AUTHENTICITY CAN BE A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. The more of a person’s self they can bring to work the more they have to offer: their talent, experience, intellect, etc.
REMEMBER DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE NOT JUST ETHICAL, THEY’RE PROFITABLE. People may not always agree on the morality of diversity and inclusion, but it’s easy to find commonality on the positive impact it can have on an organization.
STAY OPEN TO POSSIBILITY. Be wary of locking in too tightly to an expected career path. Sometimes there are bigger and better possibilities you cannot see or even imagine.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PUTTING POINTS ON THE BOARD. At some point, you will need other people in order to maximize your success, so early in your career make sure you intentionally invest in relationships.
TO KEEP YOUR POWER, FOCUS ON GIVING IT AWAY. Otherwise, you may be the limiting factor on your growth and development.
RELATED LINKS:
Mitch Barns (Personal Website)
Carla Harris (Personal Website)
Carla Harris (Morgan Stanley Profile)
Morgan Stanley Multicultural Innovation Lab
Access and Opportunity With Carla Harris
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