#71 Carla Harris: Maximizing your success by being yourself

Written by Oslo Business Forum | Oct 18, 2022 10:28:59 AM

– If you have never shown who you really are, there is a part of you who is afraid to show who you really are because you are afraid that it will not be accepted and embraced.

This is one of many interesting takes from this week's guest in OBF-podden, Carla Harris. The Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley spoke about tools for maximising your success at this year's Oslo Business Forum.

In this podcast she talks about the energy from speaking in front of a live audience again, why people fear to be themselves at work and how to lead in a shifting environment.

– No one should be afraid to be evolving

Carla sees a clear difference between her own and the younger generation regarding one particular aspect:

– If you were like me building your career in the 80s, the 90s and the 2000s, there was a formula. If you executed the formula, you could be successful. No one said you have to bring the real you.

Host Tor Haugnes asks if she has noticed any differences between Oslo and New York. One aspect is pretty obvious for Clara: Norwegian is more reserved. But she also argues that people could be shaped by the environment they operate in.

– If you put me in Oslo for a week, I will probably be a little bit more quiet than the normal course of business. Because I will be learning, observing and studying. And if you come to New York City, as loud and «in your face» as it is, you will be quiet at first, but I give you a week and you will be out there too, Carla says and continues:

– No one should be afraid to be evolving. All have the capacity to add something to our tool chest. That does not mean you are inauthentic.

Redefinition of being together

The episode also discusses the long term effects of the pandemic. Carla argues that companies now should try to define what it actually means to be together.

– And it befuddles me that companies are not trying to figure that question out. If I can´t create the value proposition of bringing you back five days a week, and there is no value proposition for that … How can I tell you that you have to be back in that place, when I had a record year without you being in that place?

Carla Harris also talks about why she was extremely busy during the pandemic.

And what happened when Carla was brutally honest about «knowing nothing about this business», when shifting from capital markets to investment management 25 years into her career?

In this episode you will hear discussions regarding questions like:

How will the future hybrid office work?
Why are so many people constrained by fear?
What is the first thing Carla does when she is leading a new team?

Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Itunes or wherever you listen to podcasts! You can also use the player embeds above in this article.

A huge thanks to our host, Tor Haugnes!

Subscribe here:

Want to be a part of the OBF community? Join Oslo Business Forum 2023: Thriving in Chaos now!

View full post