Borderless Executive Live: The Podcast
Candid conversations with business leaders on their respective industries, including Life Sciences, Chemical Value Chain, and Food & Drink. Hosted by Andrew Kris, Founding Partner of Borderless.
Borderless Executive Live: The Podcast
Transforming Careers and Inspiring Change: Rosalie Harrison’s Empowerment Journey with Borderless
What if every career pivot could be a stepping stone to greater success and fulfillment? Join us as we unfold the extraordinary journey of Rosalie Harrison, whose path from pharmacist to top-tier lawyer, and now an executive at a global firm, defies conventional career norms. This episode shares how Rosalie's diverse background in research, sales, and technical writing equipped her with unique skills that propelled her into the legal world, where her keen eye for detail and advocacy shone. Her work across Germany, Belgium, and Italy not only enriched her adaptability but also sharpened her cross-cultural communication, making her an influential leader who thrives on empowering others.
Rosalie’s story is a testament to the power of a career mosaic, where each experience builds upon the last, creating a rich tapestry of professional growth and impact. As a partner at Borderless Executive Search, she leverages her empathy and commitment to inclusive leadership to help professionals and teams unlock their potential. Tune in to hear how Rosalie’s dedication to meaningful feedback and resource-sharing makes her a standout leader who inspires positive change. If you’re searching for a narrative filled with courage, open-mindedness, and a genuine passion for uplifting others, this episode is your perfect listen.
ever looked at someone's career and thought, well, how'd they even do that? Well, get ready, because today we are diving into a background that just screams anything but ordinary Rosalie Harrison.
Speaker 2:Yeah, this isn't just another LinkedIn profile, right.
Speaker 1:Not even close.
Speaker 2:This is about how, like those experiences that seem totally random, can actually like, connect and build on each other in ways you'd never expect, and it fits perfectly with how you like to take in information, quick, strategic, finding those hidden gems.
Speaker 1:And Rosalie's story. Oh it's packed with them. We're talking pharmacist, lawyer, and now she's an executive at a global firm. It's wild. So let's try to unpack just how she built this seriously fascinating career like mosaic, I guess you could call it.
Speaker 2:See, the thing is right off the bat. This isn't just someone who hopped between jobs. She completely pivoted entire career paths more than once. That takes guts, a real hunger for challenges and, let's be honest, a knack for landing on her feet.
Speaker 1:She's got that. Never a dull moment, vibe for sure. Okay, so her LinkedIn says she starts out with a doctor of pharmacy degree. That's intense in itself. Then, bam jurist doctor top of her class, even snagged the American Jurisprudence Award in business administration. Talk about high achievers.
Speaker 2:It really makes you think right. Was this all planned out like from the very beginning, or was she just someone who saw opportunity knocking and had the confidence to just go for it?
Speaker 1:It's always easier to connect the dots looking back, isn't it? But I bet there's a lot more to it. And speaking of stories, her time in pharmacy is anything but ET one-dimensional. We're talking research and development sales. She even did technical writing.
Speaker 2:What does all that tell us? To me it screams deliberate skill building, technical writing, sales. You're mastering communication right, Especially about complex stuff. And then research and development. That's pure analytical thinking. And all of this is happening in the high pressure world of pharmacy, where you have to be able to problem solve on your feet. That's a foundation you can build on.
Speaker 1:And build. She did, but in a totally different direction. Law school from dispensing medication to dispensing legal advice, that's quite the leap.
Speaker 2:A bold one, absolutely. But and here's the thing there's a common thread. If you look closely, both fields need crazy attention to detail. You're navigating these intricate systems health care in one, legal in the other and at the core, you're advocating for someone, whether it's a patient or a client.
Speaker 1:It's like she took all those core skills she'd mastered and just transferred them to a whole new playing field.
Speaker 2:What was she?
Speaker 1:And get this. She didn't stick to practicing law in just one place. Her LinkedIn shows she's worked internationally Germany, belgium, italy, the list goes on.
Speaker 2:Talk about a crash course in adaptability, working across different cultures, legal systems. That kind of experience is gold. It broadens your perspective, makes you way better at connecting with people from all walks of life.
Speaker 1:Seriously, and now she's a partner at Borderless Executive Search. So, from dispensing advice to literally helping others land their dream jobs, it's almost like things have come full circle, wouldn't you say?
Speaker 2:There's a real desire to empower others there, don't you think? Imagine this. She's walked this incredible path and there's multiple industries inside and out. That's crazy valuable insight for someone looking for guidance, and I bet clients connect with her diverse background too. It makes her relatable, you know, trustworthy 100%.
Speaker 1:Her bio even mentions being committed to helping professionals and teams reach their full potential, which honestly just hits different than the usual corporate jargon. This feels less about climbing the ladder and more about helping others rise. But what I find really interesting is what she's doing outside of her role at Borderless.
Speaker 2:Her LinkedIn. You mean, yeah, now that you mentioned it.
Speaker 1:Because she's not just networking, she's shaping conversations around leadership and inclusion, and that's where things get really interesting. It's like she's using her platform to make sure those voices you don't always hear, especially in those traditional corporate spaces, those voices get amplified Like. One thing she really emphasizes is empathy and leadership.
Speaker 2:Which, let's face it, that's not always the top priority in those settings, Right. That's not always the top priority in those settings, Right. She's also big on diverse perspectives, pushing back against those dominant voices that often just I don't know, drown out other valuable insights. It's really refreshing and pretty gutsy too.
Speaker 1:Especially considering her own experience working in fields where well, let's just say, those dominant voices tend to dominate. She's been there, dealt with that, and now she's advocating for change.
Speaker 2:It makes you think would she be such a champion for all this if it weren't for her own experiences? Right, it seems like what she's been through has really shaped how she approaches leadership and inclusion. She's living proof that embracing diversity it's not just some feel-good thing. It gets better results.
Speaker 1:And she doesn't just talk about it, she takes action. Like she recommends resources. There's this book the Culture Map sounds super helpful for navigating cross-cultural communication, especially for teams working across borders.
Speaker 2:See, that's the sign of a true leader. They don't hoard knowledge. They share it so others can benefit. She's clearly walked the walk and now she's like shining a light for others to follow.
Speaker 1:And this actually leads to another super interesting thing about her LinkedIn activity she's really big on giving and receiving meaningful feedback, particularly in diverse work environments, not just like good job, but the kind of feedback that actually helps you grow you know that tracks with her earlier experiences Right.
Speaker 2:Think about all the learning and adapting she had to do as a pharmacist, then a lawyer, then working internationally. Feedback wouldn't just be nice. It would be essential for her to make those transitions work.
Speaker 1:Totally. It's like she's saying hey, I learned from all this, the good and the bad, here's what worked for me, and here are some tools you can use too. Super generous.
Speaker 2:And it goes back to what we were saying before about her challenging the norms. She could have easily just stuck with being a pharmacist or a lawyer, played it safe, but instead she pushes boundaries, goes exploring and then uses all that to help others do the same.
Speaker 1:It's like she looked at the whole career ladder thing and decided nope, I'm building a jungle gym and everyone's invited to climb, explore. Find their own path. Love that.
Speaker 2:It's a powerful message for anyone who's feeling stuck, you know, unsure or maybe a little stifled by the traditional idea of what a successful career is supposed to look like. It makes you ask what if we redefine success?
Speaker 1:Ooh, I like that.
Speaker 2:What if it wasn't about titles and promotions, but about the impact you're making, the lives you're touching?
Speaker 1:That seems to be a big part of Rosalie's story for sure, and remember that question we had at the beginning about whether her path was all meticulously planned or about grabbing opportunities. Maybe it's a mix of both, but what really stands out is her openness to new possibilities, that willingness to take a risk and that core belief that she can figure things out.
Speaker 2:It's inspiring. Honestly, it reminds us that we're not just along for the ride in our own careers or even in the world Right, we have choices, we have a voice, we can shape our own journeys, and Rosalie's LinkedIn is just one example of how she's doing that. But it doesn't end there.
Speaker 1:You're talking about her volunteer work. Yeah, because that's a whole other level of impressive. I mean, talk about putting your money where your mouth is. When it comes to social justice, this goes way beyond just the workplace. We're talking years of dedication to fighting poverty, both here in the US and internationally.
Speaker 2:It shows a depth to her character that goes beyond any professional accomplishments. It paints this picture of someone who's not just successful in the traditional sense, but someone who's truly dedicated to, you know, leaving the world a better, fairer place.
Speaker 1:Talk about walking the walk. It's one thing to talk about empathy and inclusion, but to actually put in the time, the energy, the resources to help those who need it most. That says it all.
Speaker 2:And it circles back to that idea of success, doesn't it? What does it really mean to live a successful life? Maybe it's about aligning your actions with your values, using your platform to lift others up, actually making a difference. At least, that's what Rosalie Harrison's story seems to say.
Speaker 1:It's like she embodies that quote. You know, the meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. She really took that to heart, found her gift, honed it and now she's using it to empower others. Pretty amazing, really.
Speaker 2:And it's a really powerful takeaway for all of us, you know, no matter where we are in our own careers because it reminds us that success isn't some finish line you cross. It's about constantly growing, contributing, using our experiences all of them to actually make a difference.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And Rosalie's story. It's not just for, like, ceos or people in those high powered roles. There's something in her journey that anyone can connect with that feeling of what am I supposed to be doing or how can I make a real impact.
Speaker 2:And you know it's so cool how her journey really throws that traditional straight line idea of a successful career right out the window. It's not about climbing some preset ladder, it's about creating your own path, even if it has some crazy twists and turns along the way.
Speaker 1:She didn't just luck into a fulfilling, impactful career. She built it step by step, risk by risk, and always with this focus on lifting others up as she went.
Speaker 2:Makes you wonder what she'll do next, right.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:If her past is anything to go by, I bet it'll be something bold, something with purpose, something that leaves a mark.
Speaker 1:No doubt, whatever it is, I have a feeling she'll approach it with that same like open mind, that willingness to dive into the unknown and that unwavering belief in what people can do, her own potential and the potential of everyone around her.
Speaker 1:It's like she's a walking talking reminder that we can all achieve amazing things when we mix our talents with creating your own career mosaic, one piece at a time, one experience at a time, always learning, always growing, always looking for those connections and those skills that can take you anywhere and never underestimate what you can do with a little courage, a lot of empathy and a willingness to shake things up. You might be surprised where you end up.
Speaker 2:And, who knows, you might even inspire someone else along the way. That's the thing about a life well lived in a career that really means something. It has a ripple effect. You touch other people's lives in ways you might never even realize.
Speaker 1:That's definitely something to think about. Well, thanks for joining us for this deep dive into the amazing career of Rosalie Harrison. Until next time, remember your career is a canvas, not a cage. Go paint something extraordinary.