SHECENTER(FOLD): CARLA HARRIS call because in retrospect, waiting a year, the dynamics changed and this person was no longer in the position where they could sponsor me effectively. So I would have been much more exposed had I taken that new role. It was a huge risk, but it was absolutely the right call and that person ultimately didn’t sponsor me anyway. NAWRB: What is your favorite vacation you have taken? What was so special about that trip? Carla Harris: It would have to be Italy, loved Italy. I’ve been to a number of great places but it’s just so wonderful with the architecture, the history, the people, the food, love it. A close second would be Spain. And again, the history that’s associated with these countries and the architecture and culture are just terrific. NAWRB: In addition to your career at Morgan Stanley, singer and writer, is there hobby or passion dear to your heart that most people may not know you enjoy? Carla Harris: I’m sure they know because it’s been written about, but it would have to be golf. I love, love, love playing golf. Whenever I get a chance to do it, I do it.
“ A mentor is very much nice to have because this is the person who can give you the real deal advice, but the sponsor is more important if you want to advance.”
Carla Harris: I’ve said this before in my first book Expect to Win, perception is the copilot to reality. That was the biggest aha moment because I did not realize that you could teach people how to think about you, or that it was important to understand the perception about you in the marketplace. I was very green, I just came in thinking that I would work hard and that would be enough. But as I said at the beginning of this conversation, if you’re working in a way that is inconsistent with the way they’re thinking about success, you’re not going to maximize your success. So there you are working as | NAWRB MAGAZINE
The second biggest lesson is the whole concept about sponsorship, that you can’t do it alone. The concept of putting your head down and working hard to the exclusion of investing heavily in relationships won’t get you where you want to be. It will certainly help you very early on in your career because doing well from a performance standpoint creates a reputation in the marketplace, but you will only get so far on the performance. You cannot do it alone; you’re going to need the relationships. NAWRB: What is your favorite way to spend a day when you don’t have to worry about work or any other professional responsibilities?
NAWRB: What is the most important professional lesson that you have learned during your career as an executive woman?
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hard as you possibly can, but again, you’re offering that which is not valued so you don’t get the return for your efforts. Biggest lesson, that’s my biggest lesson.
Carla Harris: At this point there’s no question, it’s about hanging out with my daughter Dakota. No question. NAWRB: What is your favorite thing that she has done?
Carla Harris: Starting to walk, absolutely. Every new thing that they do now becomes the coolest thing. Three months ago the coolest thing was watching how she would pull herself up in her crib. Two months before that was watching how she was figuring out how to crawl, when she would grab the carpet and slide herself. Every time they do something for the first time it becomes the coolest thing. NAWRB: What do women at all career levels, from entry-level positions to executive offices, bring to the proverbial table that men do not? How important do you think gender diversity is within the workplace? Carla Harris: I think gender diversity is essential because any time you’re trying to get to the best ideas, the more diverse thought you have the higher the probability that you come up with that great solution that will