‘Mindfully Machiavellian’ - Professor Phil Harris on academia, entrepreneurialism, giving-back, and a lifetime of learning

In this episode of Outward Bound and Me, Dylan sits down with academic trailblazer Professor Phil Harris to explore his journey before and after his life-changing Outward Bound course. Phil reflects on his upbringing in Middlesex and Birkenhead, leaving school at 16 for jobs at Radio Luxembourg and a bustling flour mill on the docks, before his employer, the non-conformist Joseph Rank, sponsored him to attend his Outward Bound course at the Moray Sea School in 1970.

 

Phil describes the conditions in Morayshire in November that year, learning to swim at Gordonstoun, and the adrenaline of helping man an auxiliary lifeboat to rescue a stranded fishing vessel, all of which took him out of his shell. He credits this intense experience as key to unlocking his leadership potential, which after Outward Bound drove him to organise a local trade union branch, serve as student union president at York University, and eventually transition from corporate industry to a highly distinguished international career in academia. Now a Professor Emeritus and leading authority on political marketing, lobbying, and Machiavellian marketing, Phil discusses how Outward Bound’s core values of resilience, self-reliance, and public service, shaped his lifelong passion for enabling others, and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Considering Phil’s extensive career, it was a joy to hear how Outward Bound played a part in driving his career, his values, and the desire to encourage and develop others:

“Outward Bound inspires others, and it enables. It's the enablement that I'm really passionate about. It's like you give people depth to do something else, and at different times you don't know that you need that depth. I think we're all looking for things that motivate us or allow us to put back, and I think the Outward Bound is one of those organisations, and it was set up on those sorts of values”.

Creators and Guests

Host

Dylan Carroll

Dylan Carroll is the Head of Partnerships at The Outward Bound Trust, leading the Corporate, Trusts & Foundations, Alumni and Legacy teams. Following a career in sales and marketing working across Europe, he now has 20 years fundraising leadership experience, working previously at Barnardo’s, as a consultant, and chairing the Institute of Fundraising. Dylan believes in the power of storytelling to showcase the impact an Outward Bound experience can have on individuals at a pivotal time in their lives, and how Outward Bound pedagogy has influenced countless futures, career, and life choices. He hopes that through this podcast, individual stories of resilience, failure and success, adventure and fun, will be shared with a wider audience, so that people will think on their own connection to the charity, the outdoors and nature, and possibly their own lives and autobiography, and the impact they have on others. The stories in this podcast are individual, but contribute to a collective 85 year tapestry of a charity that has had a lasting impact on many lives.

Guest

Professor Phil Harris OSA, BA (Hons), CertEd, PhD, FAMS, FCIM, FIPR, FRSA, HFAM

Professor Phil Harris is Professor Emeritus in Marketing and Public Affairs at the University of Chester and Woxsen University, India, and Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa. He is known for his research on public affairs, lobbying, political marketing, entrepreneurship, and business-to-government relations. Phil's academic career includes being a former Board member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Professor of Marketing at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and Founding Director of the Centre for Corporate and Public Affairs at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is the joint founding editor of the Journal of Public Affairs and a member of over 20 international editorial and advisory boards. Phil has authored over 200 articles, 400 academic papers and 20 books. He has worked in the chemical, food, media, and public affairs industries, and has taught and advised businesses and governments in Asia, Europe, and North America. He has held visiting professorships in Australia, China, Germany, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States. Phil moved with his family to Birkenhead in 1969, and joined Joseph Rank Limited, where he worked in the flour milling and animal feeds industry in clerical and trainee managerial roles in sales, purchasing, imports, and production. The firm spotted his potential and sent him on a leadership development course at The Outward Bound Moray Sea School, in 1970. The rest, as they say, is history. Phil's journey is a testament to the power of education and determination. From his beginnings in Southall, to having his academic work recognised all over the world, Phil has taken the skills nurtured at Outward Bound to educate and raise the aspirations of others following in his footsteps.

What is Outward Bound and Me?

Outward Bound & Me is a fortnightly podcast where host Dylan Carroll speaks with Outward Bound alumni from across the decades. Each episode delves into powerful stories of life before, during, and after their time on course—from personal breakthroughs to hilarious moments in the wild. Whether you’re a former participant, outdoor enthusiast, or simply curious about how adventure shapes lives, this podcast offers inspiration, reflection, and a deeper look into the legacy of Outward Bound since 1941.