Ep. 14 - Gathering of Allies

Do you ever feel alone? Conventional wisdom says you should be able to make it independently. What it doesn’t tell you is that you need allies along the path of life. Reflecting on my journey since grade school, I vividly recall the invaluable allies who have shaped my path. An ally listens, supports, and uplifts you, unwaveringly standing by your side through challenges and triumphs. Join me as I share my invaluable allies and their impact on my life. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:34] Susan poses a question about your allies 

• [2:40] Susan begins by discussing family allies and the memory of her mother being a valued ally

• [7:27] Friends who are allies

• [10:40] Educators who were allies

• [17:37] Mentors who were allies who formed Susan into the person she is today

• [23:42] Susan dives into who her mother's allies were

• [29:07] Susan encourages the listener to create their list of allies

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Life is difficult. Identify your allies and keep them close.

• You can still be an influencer even if you aren’t the loudest person in the room.

• A mentor can be an influential ally. They can shape your career and your life’s journey. 

QUOTES:

“Have you ever wondered who your allies are? Who are those individuals who love and support you, encourage you, listen to you, and are there for you no matter what? We can feel so alone in our life at times. There are societal norms that tell us we should be able to manage our life on our own. By identifying our allies, we realize that we are not alone and need others to help us in our life.” Susan Gibson

“We are not alone in this world, though sometimes we feel like we are. And so, I encourage you to create a list of your allies. It might surprise you who's on it. I had surprises on my list, people I hadn't thought about in a long time, and people who profoundly impacted my life.” Susan Gibson

RESOURCES:

Susan Gibson - Email

ABOUT THE HOST:

Susan Gibson grew up in a small town in Northern Maine, the only surviving child of parents who married young and divorced young. From the influence of their shared experiences, Susan has learned two things that are core to who she is: the value of community and the power of having a voice.

Susan has spent her entire academic and professional career as a woman in tech, starting her career as a developer in the mid-80s to today, where she is CEO of Temenos+Agility, a management consulting company she co-founded with her partner, Siraj Sirajuddin, where they help enterprises transform organizationally and personally, to find a more meaningful way to deliver value to their customers.

Susan is a frequent contributor to the Women in Tech (WiT) Regatta and speaks at public and private events worldwide, using her voice to grow communities of women, mentors and allies in tech. 

Susan has many lifelong pursuits - healthy eating, fitness, yoga & meditation, music, theater, opera, reading, movies, travel, family and friends. She is also rebuilding her family’s 110-year-old homestead in Northern Maine, a true labor of love.