Meet Raphael Harry

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Raphael Harry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Raphael below.

Hi Raphael, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

Surviving multiple near death encounters without realizing it before the age of 25.

My time in the United States Navy and interacting with a diversity of people that I don’t think I planned to.

Suffering and struggling on my own after the completion of active duty.

Moving to Grapevine, Texas and then Brooklyn NY

Experiencing our first miscarriage as a couple.

The birth of our daughter.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I love meeting people from all walks of life! I collect and share stories, especially from immigrants, on my podcast “White Label American”.

Spending time with my family, volunteering at the Butterfly Garden, and working on projects with The Mission Continues with fellow veterans are my jam. I also run a monthly meetup for dads raising kids without a father under Park Slope Parents Groups.

Catch me at the 6th Afros and Audio Podcast Festival in Baltimore, MD, Oct 18-21. Use promo code RHY24AFAU for tickets!

Exciting announcements are on the way. Sign up for my Patreon to get bonus episodes and be the first to hear the news.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Communication

It took me a while to realize I could connect with people from all walks of life. Listen up: if you have an accent, don’t stress or think everyone’s against you. It’s normal to talk faster when nervous—just slow down and speak up without shouting. You’ll get your point across.

Negotiations

My first teenage jobs involved haggling over prices. I thought I was awful at it until my family mentioned I was getting great deals. Trust with merchants grew, and I stopped assuming they were out to cheat me. That mindset led to win-win negotiations, which came in handy while negotiating for the US Navy in the Middle East. Once trust is built, it sticks.

Reliability

The Navy taught me a lot, often things I didn’t expect. When assigned a task, I’d find someone experienced to guide me, then handle it solo, lead teams, and even win awards. I became known for getting the job done. But being reliable also means knowing your limits. I’m a veteran with disabilities, so I won’t take on tasks beyond my expertise. Instead, I’ll connect you with someone who can handle it.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I was a teenager, I struggled to read a school book and started dozing off. My elder sister saw this and said, “Just stop and go lay down. After you rest, try again.”

I use this approach when feeling overwhelmed. Forcing things doesn’t help, so I step away and do something different. Taking a break refreshes me. It could be reading a comic, binging a series, or catching a movie. Even a 30-minute walk with music or a podcast from NASA or StarTalk helps. Sometimes it’s just a day, other times a couple of days. The key is to step away until I’m recharged. Almost always, I see things more clearly afterward.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask for help immediately. Everyone is different, and what works for me might not work for you. Find what helps you in a healthy way!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Brooklyn Podcasting Studio
Joe Dabo

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