Finding — and becoming — great mentors and sponsors with Carla Harris | ReThinking with Adam Grant

Career success relies on building a strategic network of sponsors who advocate for advancement in closed-door decision-making meetings. While mentorship provides personal guidance, sponsorship requires senior leaders to expend their professional currency to support a protégé’s promotion. Authenticity involves understanding one's multifaceted identity to connect effectively with others, rather than simply being unfiltered. Addressing bias in the workplace is most effective when leaders demand data-driven justifications for personnel decisions, forcing colleagues to confront feelings versus facts. Carla Harris, former Vice Chair of Wealth at Morgan Stanley, emphasizes that power grows by giving it away, advocating for leaders to actively leverage the diverse talents within their organizations rather than relying on external hiring. Leaders must also navigate the shift toward hybrid work by fostering engagement and innovation, ensuring that organizational culture remains resilient against the fatigue and turnover associated with the modern professional landscape.