Carla Harris: How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work
Karla Harris: Ishingizda sizni qo'llab-quvvatlovchi shaxsni qanday topish mumkin?
At Morgan Stanley, Carla Harris is responsible for improving the access to capital for female and multicultural founders, as well as increasing client connectivity to enhance revenue generation. Full bio
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commonly used phrase on Wall Street
evaluative process
all the way up to managing directors.
were discussed behind closed doors
the lower bucket --
into a bonus range
to each professional.
and as I observed,
that was responsible
of a conversation.
that had the responsibility
of all the candidates.
who were supposed to comment
that those other people
than the folks that were being discussed
some interaction with those candidates.
at this roundtable for the first time,
would go through this same way,
decided in the same way,
how this concept of a meritocracy
walking out of business school
our process, is a meritocracy.
is that you're smart,
and you work really hard,
exactly how that worked.
call the first person's name.
for presenting Joe's case did just that.
someone interrupted and said,
and quantitative skills.
should go in the top bucket."
someone said, "Solid candidate.
but a good pair of hands."
should go in the middle bucket."
could present Arnold's case,
This kid doesn't have a clue.
should go in the bottom bucket."
that I clutched my pearls --
that this idea of a meritocracy
is really just a myth.
meritocratic environment
involved in the evaluative equation,
would have to be behind closed doors
around that table
"Well, who is that person?
the popular business terms at the time,
can't be a mentor,
is to give you tailored advice,
and to your career aspirations.
the good, the bad and the ugly
a champion or an advocate,
have to spend any currency
get invited to the room
this person should be called.
at the University of Michigan
that I had learned
that is carrying your interest,
carrying your paper into the room,
and social capital on you,
to pound the table on your behalf,
that I can think of,
health care, financial services,
a human element.
that measure of subjectivity.
in who is presenting your case.
any objective data that you might have.
in how they say what they're going to say
that that person who is speaking,
whatever it is for you,
someone sees you in an environment
to make it happen for you.
that you are successful."
we know it doesn't really happen that way.
this concept of currency
your ability to get a sponsor.
in any environment:
and relationship currency.
is the currency that is generated
which was asked of you
above people's expectations,
40 cents a share,
is valuable for three reasons.
get you paid and promoted
it may attract a sponsor.
in the environment, as I said earlier,
may be attracted to you.
your power and ask for one.
is now most important.
is the currency that is generated
in the people in your environment,
in the people in your environment.
to use their hard-earned
currency on your behalf
any interaction with them.
the time to connect, to engage
that are in your environment,
the opportunity to know you.
that when you approach them
in the affirmative.
that you have to have a sponsor,
you identify a sponsor.
three primary characteristics.
a seat at the decision-making table,
behind closed doors,
they'd better have some power.
that they have those three things.
identified the person,
in getting promoted this year.
anything else to prove my worthiness
has to be behind closed doors
and pounding the table.
and you are aware of the client feedback,
arguing on my behalf."
that he will answer yes,
that Jim might say no,
that he would tell you no.
that he has enough exposure to your work
behind closed doors
on your behalf.
he has the juice to get it done,
have the power to do it
in that conversation with you.
that he would tell you no,
valuable information for you
your next conversation with a sponsor
a little bit more impactful.
it is to have a sponsor.
in your career.
in your career without a mentor,
in any organization without a sponsor.
should ask yourself regularly,
who is carrying your paper into the room,
some of your hardworking energies
to your success.
that are in the room.
about what people are going to say
you might be supporting someone
after several decades on Wall Street
is to give it away,
is at the heart of your power.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Carla Harris - Business executive, authorAt Morgan Stanley, Carla Harris is responsible for improving the access to capital for female and multicultural founders, as well as increasing client connectivity to enhance revenue generation.
Why you should listen
In her 30-year career, Carla Harris has had extensive industry experiences in the technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial and healthcare sectors. In August 2013, she was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. Harris was named to Fortune Magazine's list of "The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America," US Banker's "Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance" (2009, 2010, 2011), Black Enterprise's "Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business" (2017) and "Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street," Essence Magazine's list of "The 50 Women Who Are Shaping the World" and Ebony's list of the "Power 100" and "15 Corporate Women at the Top." She is the past chair of the board of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and of The Executive Leadership Council, and she is a member of the board of overseers of Harvard University and the board of directors of the Walmart Corporation. She's the author of the books Strategize to Win and Expect to Win.
In her other life, Harris is a singer and has released three gospel CDs, including Unceasing Praise, Joy Is Waiting, and Carla's First Christmas, which was featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. She has performed five sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall.
Carla Harris | Speaker | TED.com