Kamala Harris explains how not to hear 'no'

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said that throughout her career, she never took "no" for an answer—and credited this attitude for her success.

Harris, who will serve as Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden, spoke candidly about her early career on Steven Bartlett's "Diary of a CEO" podcast.

When asked what she was like as a 25-year-old prosecutor, Harris replied: "She was fearless. She never heard, 'No, that can't happen.'"

Harris recalled her first case as a young prosecutor: It was a Friday evening, and the person arrested was a young woman with children at home.

Harris said, "All the courts were closing, and I went into the courtroom and said to the judge: 'Please come back to the bench. She has young children. She can't stay home over the weekend.'"

"And the clerk said: 'No, he's gone for today. He's leaving for today.' And I didn't go, and they filed the case."

This perseverance has helped Harris greatly throughout her career. After serving as a US Senator and Attorney General from California, she became the first Black, South Asian American, and female Vice President.

"Don't listen, maybe it's been a part of my life. I'm not comfortable with the idea that something isn't possible, at least I'm not comfortable with the idea until I try to show that it is possible and that maybe there's no change," she added.

In 2024, Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee after he dropped out of the race, but lost to President Donald Trump.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Harris admitted that she has experienced imposter syndrome in her career, especially when she was first elected district attorney in 2004.

The former vice president said on the podcast, "And I was sitting there, in the office, and I thought: 'Oh my God, now I'm the elected district attorney of a major city in the United States.'" She further added that she feels a great responsibility in her role.

However, she took a positive stance on imposter syndrome and said there's nothing wrong with having a little humility.

She said, "I think it's great to have a certain level of humility, especially when people have given you a lot of power, to understand that it's not about you. I think that's an integral part of what we call imposter syndrome... I think often it's because they understand how serious this job is for others, and I appreciate a little honest humility, not superficial humility." Elsewhere in the podcast, Harris recalled how she would go into meetings and people would wonder where her boss was. She said that downplaying the opinions of others has benefited her greatly.

She added, "When I advise people, I often tell them: 'Never limit yourself based on others' limited ability to judge you.'" "Those are their limitations... Don't impose those limitations on yourself."