Leadership Lessons from Simoriah Stogner

Simoriah Stogner is the Senior Manager of Technology Services - System & Database Operations for Jack Henry & Associates. Her story is one of resilience and determination, transcending obstacles to become a rising star in the tech industry. Here are 8 profound lessons I took away from her conversation with my friend Chris Crosby on the Unbroken Podcast:

1. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀. Simoriah emphasizes the importance of differing viewpoints. Diversity of thought can drive innovation and lead to better solutions.

2. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀. Her mentorship approach is highly personalized, focusing on individual goals and challenges. By building confidence and developing specific IT leadership skills, she sets her mentees up for success and receives their best work in the meantime.

3. 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. She stays updated with trends like cloud computing and cybersecurity. She advocates for continuous learning, whether through formal courses or self-study, to stay relevant.

4. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀. Effective IT manager training is vital for leadership. It includes soft skills like communication and conflict resolution, which is crucial for team performance.

5. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲. Both men and women face imposter syndrome. Overcoming it requires supportive mentors and allies who can provide reassurance and perspective, helping individuals recognize their true capabilities.

6. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆. Simoriah's journey from poverty to a successful tech career is a testament to resilience. Her story underscores the importance of vision and purpose in driving oneself forward despite challenges.

7. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆. Simoriah emphasizes the need for more representation and participation in creating and innovating technology. When the technology will be used by women, women should be involved in developing it.

8. 𝗧𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝘁. By taking on tasks others avoid, she has led significant projects in configuration management and change management, proving that valuable opportunities often lie in the work nobody wants to do.

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