Morgan Stanley Executive Anticipates ‘Year of Confident Expectancy’

Carla Harris represents an interesting dichotomy. Strategic, thorough, and extremely ambitious, she is in some ways the stereotypical Wall Street executive. But as a kind, introspective, and deeply religious woman, she also embodies its polar opposite.

Equal parts investment banker and prayer warrior, Harris’ passion for music, ministry, and motivating others to reach their full potential runs as deep as her commitment to the goals of Morgan Stanley, where she is a managing director. But she has always pursued success on her own terms — and won.

It’s that high-yield journey and her desire to help others achieve similar goals that led her to write her first book last year, Expect to Win (Plume; $15), and that led to her being one of Black Enterprise’sÂ 75 Most Powerful Women in Business (February 2010). On the eve of the release of the new paperback edition, Harris paused her hectic schedule long enough to reflect on the year — one of Wall Street’s most tumultuous ever — and what lies ahead.

BlackEnterprise.com: Last year was huge for you! Your book came out and you embarked on a demanding book tour, all while still meeting the demands of your day job. How did you do it all?

Carla Harris: I am blessed with a lot of energy, and that’s a good thing because I was definitely racing around! But this year put me to the test because I hate to say no. When I have competing priorities, I pray on it. I did a lot of praying!

What’s been your favorite part of being an author?

The feedback from people who really appreciated what I had to say, and who took the time to call or send me a note or an e-mail letting me know. That was incredible. But when I look back on it all, I realize I didn’t take enough time to celebrate. I was so busy running and processing everything, I didn’t do well at enjoying it. That often happens. You work hard toward a goal, you anticipate the moment of achieving it, and then when it happens, you’re too busy to enjoy it the way you should. We all could probably do better with that.

Well, with everything going on in the financial sector, it was probably tough to celebrate.

That’s true. It was a year filled with a lot of highs, but there was definitely enough challenge in the air to temper all the good. I try to keep everything in perspective though. I’ve been on Wall Street more than 20 years, so I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs and, while it’s been more intense this time, the nature of this business is cyclical. What was positive this time, is that we had all the parties at the table to talk about it and we’re all going to be a lot smarter for it.

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Despite some signs of economic progress, employment remains at a low and so does confidence in how quickly and completely real recovery will occur. What do you say to people who are really anxious about the future?

There are some things that you cannot see and you cannot possibly know. That’s where your faith kicks in. I used to have trouble with that “Thy will be doneâ€ thing. But when you’ve done everything you know how to do and you’ve used every tool in your chest, you have to trust that things will work out. You know how the story ends when God’s involved! There’s a lot I don’t know, but I know the end of the story is going to be good, and I just keep saying it and saying it and I have rarely seen that not play out. It may not work out my way, but His way will be a better way.

You make an affirming declaration about each year, as it comes. You’ve had the ‘Year of No Doubt’ and you always stand firm against the destructive capacity of fear. What have you declared for 2010?

[This year] is the ‘Year of Confident Expectancy.’ I think this is going to be a really triumphant year, more so than the last five collectively. I think we are just poised to move forward in a way that will be really significant and have lasting impact.

What part does each of us play in all that?

God will make it happen, but you cannot abdicate your own power. You have to own your decisions, own your power, own the fact that you do control every day. This is the environment where you should be taking risks. If you want an outsized return, you must have the willingness and the guts to take an outsized risk. I hate the phrase, “Keep your head down.â€ Keeping your head down will not keep you from getting shot. If anything, you want to keep your head up so you can at least see the bullet coming!

But what if you can’t get out of the way anyway?

Business, the economy, and our entire society are facing a lot of problems right now. You want to be a part of the solution. Now is the time to leverage your voice. Environments like this are full of opportunity, but a lot depends on how you view things. If there were six people in your area, four were laid off and you’re one of two left, that’s not a reason to complain, that’s an opportunity. Because you’re going to be seen and heard in a way that you never were before, so make it count! If you’re one of the four who was let go, be careful how you walk out because most companies laying off will end up rehiring. How you leave will make the difference between your never even knowing the doors reopened and your being the first one called when they do.

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Morgan Stanley Executive Anticipates ‘Year of Confident Expectancy’

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