Susan Robinson proudly claims to have failed at being disabled. She says not having 20/20 vision is a misalignment in a world constructed for sighted people – but it has its advantages. Listen to hear why she believes this is so, and have your eyes opened.
Susan’s TED Talk, “How I Fail at Being Disabled,” attracted more than a million and a half views and added a new dimension and visibility to her desired career as an executive in and consultant to healthcare organizations and non-profits, which was already established. The TED Talk really launched her talent as a keynote speaker.
During the podcast, Susan shares the story of how her vision declined into a legally blind status during college. This made her ambition to become a surgeon impossible. She reorganized her priorities and increased her appreciation of flexibility and adaptability and developed a career in the healthcare field using adjacent skills. As a consultant, she can develop plans that go beyond typical boundaries.
Susan says she didn’t face a strong challenge as a woman in business. She has worked with both men and women who have supported her goals. (They must have noticed her determination.) Her core values are: doing her best every day, Being inspired by her grandparents; a love of learning; and going beyond boundaries.
Work legacy, she said, is evaluated by others. In our early careers, we are focused on ourselves. The next phase is about how you create an environment for others to succeed. That frequently happens with a team. At this point in her work legacy journey, she sees her next steps as taking her experience and accomplishments in health care and moving to a global space.
Quotes
“I’m constantly in diagnostic mode.”
“Be a rising tide that lifts all ships.”
“Big things can fall in place from many small things.”
“Figure out how to put the proverbial comma at the end of a sentence.”
Takeaways
Asking "How can we make things better?" really jazzes her.
Playing the hand she was dealt, she was forced to pivot. Now the pandemic has forced everyone to pivot in some way and reorganize priorities.
Create a personal Board of Directors.
Unapologetically be yourself.
Bio
Susan Robinson's TED Talk, “How I Fail at Being Disabled,” attracted more than a million and a half views and added a new dimension and visibility to her desired career as an executive in and consultant to healthcare organizations and non-profits.
As a keynote speaker and business adviser, Susan blends her 25+ years of multi-sector leadership with her experience being legally blind. She works with executive leaders of global firms and Fortune 500 companies and non-profits as well as universities and the United Nations. In her role as a business adviser, Susan partners with senior and executive leaders on enterprise-wide issues.
Susan is an Executive Board member of the Penn State Alumni Association’s Alumni Council and a Board Member of both the New York State Preferred Source Program for People Who Are Blind and InTandem Cycling.
She received her Master of Public Administration in Health Policy and Management from New York University, and her B.S. in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State. And for fun, she is a tango dancer, yoga practitioner, and triathlete-in-training.
How to Reach Susan:
Website: susancrobinson.com
Email: susan@susancrobinson.com