Finding — and becoming — great mentors and sponsors with Carla Harris | ReThinking with Adam Grant
Nov 27, 2023
auto_awesome
Guest: Carla Harris, a fierce leader and devoted mentor, talks about strategies for building relationships with mentors and sponsors, advocating effectively for ourselves, and dealing with the lack of support. She also discusses bias in decision-making, leveraging talent, and leadership challenges in the digital age.
Building relationships and networks is crucial for creating opportunities and advancing in one's career.
Seeking out mentors and sponsors who can advocate for you in important decision-making rooms is essential for career advancement.
Deep dives
Carla Harris: Finding Success on Wall Street
Carla Harris, a dynamic leader and former vice chair at Morgan Stanley, discusses her career journey and the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in achieving success. Harris shares her experience as one of the few black executives in America and highlights the need for diverse representation in organizations. She emphasizes the value of building relationships and networks, both within and outside of one's department, to create opportunities for growth and advancement. Harris encourages individuals to embrace their authentic selves, leverage their identities, and challenge biases in the workplace. She also addresses the challenges of dealing with abusive bosses and offers strategies for navigating such situations.
The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
Harris emphasizes the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for career advancement. She advises individuals to seek out mentors and sponsors who can advocate for them in rooms where important decisions are made. She provides strategies for attracting mentors and sponsors, such as building relationships with influential individuals and making oneself visible through impactful work. Harris also highlights the need for individuals to put themselves in positions where they can be seen and recognized for their talents and contributions. She stresses the significance of being a mentor or sponsor oneself, as it not only helps others but also enhances one's own power and influence.
Authenticity and Power in Leadership
Harris discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership and offers insights on how to bring one's whole self into professional settings. She encourages individuals to understand their own identities and values and to embrace their multifaceted nature. Harris advises leaders to meet people where they are and to build trust by being genuine and relatable. She emphasizes the value of asking thoughtful questions and actively engaging in conversations to demonstrate one's interest and intelligence. Harris also encourages leaders to address biases and conflicts in the workplace by calling out discriminatory behavior, challenging decisions based on feelings rather than facts, and promoting fairness and equity.
Adapting to Changing Work Environments
Harris addresses the challenges of adapting to changing work environments, particularly in the context of the pandemic and remote work. She acknowledges the need for leaders to be more engaging and supportive, recognizing the unique struggles and burnout that individuals may face. Harris advocates for leaders to be flexible and innovative in finding ways to accommodate employees' needs and preferences. She highlights the importance of leveraging technology and embracing new ways of working, while also valuing work-life balance and prioritizing mental health and well-being. Harris emphasizes the role of leaders in creating inclusive and empowering work cultures that attract and retain top talent.
Hi Fixable listeners! We are going on a short break before we bring you new episodes of Fixable. In the meantime, here is another podcast we thought you’d love. It’s an episode from ReThinking with Adam Grant, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective.
Carla Harris is a fierce leader, a devoted mentor, and a dynamic speaker. A Wall Street veteran who has been named one of the most powerful Black executives in America, Carla’s worked across multiple industries in her 30+ year career, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. In a highly entertaining Authors@Wharton event, Carla speaks with Adam about strategies for building relationships with mentors and sponsors, how to advocate effectively for ourselves and authors, and what to do when we’re not getting the support we need. Carla’s latest book “Lead to Win” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG15
And remember — if you want to be on next season Fixable, call Anne and Frances with your workplace problems at 234-Fixable (that’s 234-349-2253). You can also email fixable@ted.com or submit using THIS form.