In our special column this month, we are happy to host an interview with Mr. Raal Harris, Chief Creative Officer, Ocean Technologies Group who has met many inspiring people that have influenced positively his career and sees exciting times ahead for shipping.
Mr. Harris advises us always to be present and listen to others both in personal and professional lives while he wishes the whole industry would realize the real value of investing in people. ”With the challenges we face as an industry we are going to need to take a long-term approach to how we attract, develop and nurture talent.” he said, highlighting the importance of ensuring diversity at all levels to truly innovate.
SAFETY4SEA: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
Raal Harris: In my job it is essential to be connected to our Industry, That means participating in many Industry groups and forums as well as spending quality time with our customers understanding their pain points and aspirations for what they want to achieve. I love hearing all the different perspectives and of the fantastic initiatives going on in what is a very exciting time in shipping.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
R.H.: I’ve met so many inspiring people over the years that it is hard to pick one and of course success means different things to different people. But I would say William O’Neil. Bill was Videotel President when I joined the business nearly 20 years ago and it was a great privilege to get to work alongside him. His achievements are too many to list here, but when he sadly passed away it was obvious how much impact he had on our Industry, moreover he was universally loved and respected, if that isn’t success, I don’t know what is.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?
R.H.: Again, it’s hard to pick one, I’ve learned from so many great people. I would say Robin Jackson with whom I worked at Videotel would be my pick. Robin was already semi-retired when we met having ran the Production department and he had previously also produced films for Shell. He oversaw a golden age of training filmmaking as well as broke ground in innovative interactive formats. He has an incredible mind and is one of the kindest people I have ever met and was always someone whose counsel I would always rely on.
S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
R.H.: The best is to be present in whatever you’re doing. If you are working, work, if you are spending time with friends and family then be there. Don’t try and do both at the same time as you will satisfy no one.
The worst is “dance like no one is watching”, people are watching, dance like they are watching!
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
R.H.: Learning to be a good listener. When you take the time to really listen to people you start to understand what is really going on. That could be how things are working or why they aren’t. Then you can see where the opportunity is for you to make a difference and add some value which is really going to determine whether you have a successful business.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
R.H.: Email management. It may sound dull, but getting on top of your mailbox is essential to be able to properly prioritise your work and being able to focus.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
R.H.: I’d like to us to invest in our people much more widely than we do today. With the challenges we face as an industry we are going to need to take a long-term approach to how we attract, develop and nurture talent. We also need to do more to ensure we get more diversity at all levels. Diversity of gender, sexuality etc but also of thought. Different perspectives will be needed if we are to truly innovate.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
