Connecting with Emily Tisch Sussman

How have relationships influenced your professional development and leadership style?

So a little bit about me and my story - I spent over a decade working in policy and campaigns in DC and then I had three kids in four years and I quickly realized the pace I was going was unsustainable (check out my OpEd about it here !).?It was that relationship, the one with my kids, that made me leave behind the career I had worked so hard to build in search of something more sustainable for my new role as a mom. It was certainly not easy, I had to leave behind the comfort of an industry I knew well and more importantly, a network of relationships I had built.?As I grappled with my pivot and the loss of my career and in some ways, my old identity, I had an incredible circle of women around me encouraging me.?When I first thought of the idea of She Pivots , I originally had the age-old thought, “someone else should do this.” It wasn’t until my dear friend Michele Jawando pushed me by saying I should be the one to do it.?These conversations, with the inspiring women around me motivated me to start She Pivots and as a result, created a community and a new way for women to think about their careers and their lives.?Now, we have interviewed over fifty women from Vice President Kamala Harris to Olympian Allyson Felix to holocaust survivor Dr. Edith Eger. Each of which I never would have had the chance to interview without the encouragement of those around me to build this show. As I think about how these relationships have impacted my professional development and leadership style, I have to admit that because of what I have learned going through my own pivot and building She Pivots, I no longer buy into in those “traditional” markers of success anymore for myself (i.e. a promotion, corner office, etc.). The true essence of She Pivots is to prove to women that we can redefine success for ourselves. It might not look the way we originally envisioned, and there may be difficult times, but each of our experiences and decisions build on one another to who we are now - and that is enough.?

Do you have any tips for maintaining and building strong relationships?

What I love most about She Pivots is the amazing community we have built around the show. When I decided to start the show I knew that I wanted it to be an all-women podcast. I felt it was important not only to showcase these stories, but to empower and connect women to people and resources.?I think for so many women we struggle to 1) know what we want and 2) feel comfortable asking for it. With that said, I think my biggest advice for building a strong professional relationship is to offer support and know your ask.?This can come in many different forms, maybe it’s moral support, or maybe it’s promoting something someone is working on to your network - no matter how small! These acts of support are crucial, especially for women and especially to build yourself professionally.?And equally as important is to know what YOU want and be willing to ask for it. This doesn’t come easily for most women, but it will get easier with practice and as we all offer mutual support.?

How have you intentionally built inclusiveness into your circles?

When I started She Pivots I knew I wanted to showcase diverse women in every sense of the word. From diversity of background, race, upbringing, to diversity of thought, career, and personal events - and I feel like I’ve been able to do it. But I have to be honest that setting that intention was important. We are lucky that there is no shortage of amazing, inspiring, successful women out there who want to be on She Pivots, but we are also super intentional to uphold that diversity as we create and book the show.??

What community or communities are you proud to be a part of?

I have to admit that before I became a mother I used to scoff at the groups of moms who were so loud and proud about motherhood - but now I am one of them! And I couldn’t be more proud. I am lucky enough to be a part of informal communities that exist solely in What’s App and on playdates and a part of other amazing communities like the Moms Demand Action chapter I started this past summer with some girlfriends. They each fulfill different parts of me and I’m so grateful?

Who’s a Connector that's made a difference in your life?

I have to mention my amazing friend and inspiration Joan Boyce (who I later interviewed on She Pivots ). When I left politics and ventured into culture and media I was nervous. It was scary to leave behind a community and a career where I had built such a strong network and go into uncharted waters. But Joan Boyce was with me every step of the way, encouraging me and connecting me to people, places, and opportunities that have helped to grow my show into what it is today.

It's an honor to feature inspiring change-makers across industries who share their stories and words of wisdom about how to build meaningful relationships. Catch up on #CONNECTED with our previous guests, including Kristen Titus , Soraya Darabi , Sloane Davidson , and more!

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies , a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.

Follow Susan on LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram and order her new book, The Lost Art of Connecting , also available on Kindle and Audiobook.