Celebrating 21 years as an Intel Employee!

Oct 5, 2019 marked a major career milestone for me - 21 years as an Intel employee. (At Intel, we measure milestones in increments of 7.) There have been many ups and downs along the way, and my 20 year old self would have insisted I would never be at the same company or career for this long, but here I am. Upon reflecting this weekend, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I have learned a lot over the last 21 years of working and traveling the world for Intel. I'd like to share a few practical tips that have served me well, and I hope to be of benefit to someone coming up in their career (organized in no particular order):

1. ”Reputation is Earned in Inches, and Lost in Feet” You are only as good as your word. Nothing is worse, in my opinion, than someone not following through with a commitment, or a promise to do something. "Yes, I will follow-up with you on that tomorrow." or, "I will get that to you next week." It's takes months and years to earn trust with someone, and only a moment to lose it by not being a person of your word. Always be reliable, and follow through on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you commit to doing.
2. The Only Thing Constant is Change... oh, and Chaos and Dysfunction - I love this recent article by Rachel Mushahwar discussing dysfunction. There are many truths in there, that I have also learned along the way, having spent days and weeks trying to control chaos, fix things, and understand why things were broken from the start. I have come to learn chaos will exist, and exists everywhere. You can't stop it. It's best to learn how to harness it, work within it, and not let it consume you.
3. The Grass is NOT Always Greener - I have had multiple opportunities and offers through the years to try new companies or new positions, but have always made the decision to stay at Intel. "Is the risk worth the potential reward?" I have always thought hard and decided, "no." If I ever have become complacent or bored, I have moved on to a new opportunity in a different group within Intel to continue to grow (benefits of a big company).
4. My "24-hour Angry Email/Phone Call" Rule - We've all been there. A project or customer or plan has imploded and you are just about ready to throw your computer, phone, or tablet across the room in frustration. You think a well worded, furious email or quick phone call in the moment must happen in order to make things right. Think again. I have found in those moments when I am my most frustrated and angry, I put myself on a 24-hour timer. Nothing productive comes from acting out of emotion and in the moment. Giving myself that little extra bit of time to cool off and think through things more clearly has helped me handle some problems more effectively and rationally. And, it has helped me avoid something I might regret later.
5. Risk Taking "101" - Do I jump out of airplanes, wrestle wild animals, or do other risky things? No. (OK, I did sky dive once when I was 22 years old). But, I have found I am always at my best when I am pushing boundaries, talking myself into "what if we could do this?" Complacency is the enemy of progress. And, I have found that taking that "informed" risk, whatever it is, is ALWAYS the right thing to do. Even if it fails (see #14). I have spent more time regretting NOT taking a risk on something than picking up the pieces of something that failed.
6. Never Stop Learning - I got my Bachelor of Engineering from Georgia Tech back in 1998. I have gone through multiple gyrations of "do I get an MBA or eMBA" or not? Do I go back to school for XYZ? Ultimately, I made the decision not to. But, it doesn't mean that I have stopped learning. I have found that whether I am seeking out professional development classes (I will be taking my next one at Wharton in November) or, spending time with a mentor over coffee - there are many opportunities to continue learning. Every day. Even for this old dog. :)
7. Sometimes Doing the Right Thing, Means Doing Nothing at All - If there is one thing I have learned in business, is that we often times over complicate situations. Holding too many pointless and endless meetings or emails on topics that could be handled in 2 minutes. Overthinking a project or program, and involving too many stakeholders that ends up being death by committee. When in doubt... simplify. Sometimes the best course is the simplest and most straight forward. Just because it is complex doesn’t mean its better. Sometimes doing nothing (or less) is the answer.
8. Always Take the Time To Exercise - On an given day of the week, I could have meetings from 7AM - 7PM, multiple project deadlines, and a couple hundred emails to deal with. For years, I would always skip a workout, or a walk, or something outside because the work was piling up. Later in my career, I have discovered I am at my best when I put work on pause for 30-60 minutes sometime in the day, and move my body by running or walking or doing something active to clear my head. It breaks up the cycle, resets my system - and, honestly gives me a great boost to be at my best. Don't skip exercise because you are too busy - you will always be too busy, and the work will be there when you get back.
9. Bring Your True Self to the Table, Always - I'm not going to lie, I am a relatively shy, introverted guy. And, some might say, a little bit goofy. I have realized this, embraced it and accepted it. And, I am in sales and business development. For years earlier in my career, I struggled with feeling out of place, and was not like the rest of my team of "Type A" extroverts. I often asked found myself questioning, "do I need to change?" It took me a while to be comfortable in my own skin, my own style, my own quirkiness and realize I could thrive no matter who I am, as long as I brought my best, true self to the table. Diversity of opinion, perspective, style, and everything else is what I believe shapes the amazing. Just be you.
10. Never Take Yourself Too Seriously - Yes, as I said I am a little goofy. I have a quirky, off, and sometimes snarky and ridiculous sense of humor. I have found my way to embrace it and bring it to work with me, and make it work. In my experience, teams that can laugh together, joke about a situation, and not take themselves too seriously are the best teams. It is the best medicine to survive the most difficult times.
11. Stay Humble - This is important. No matter how important you think you are, there is always an opportunity to learn and grow from every person and situation you are in. I have utmost admiration for the amazing leaders I have encountered who have remained humble, even with all their amazing successes and fortunes. No one is beneath them, and they often value any opportunity to learn from anyone in any situation. And, they never forget where they came from. From my favorite poem, Desiderata by Max Ehrmann - "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."
12. Everyone is Fighting a Battle You Know Nothing About - this, more than anything. Everyone we deal with in business or personal life is currently dealing with something - a divorce, loss of a friend or family member, addiction, a serious illness, etc. Always give someone the benefit of the doubt, and know there are many facets (and issues) that the person right in front of you is facing on any given day. And, often times, those battles are completely invisible.
13. Take Time to Mentor - no matter if you have been in your job for 1 month or 21 years, you have something to teach and benefit someone else around you. Think of those that have generously donated their time and knowledge to help get you where you are today. Pay it forward, and backward. Everyone benefits.
14. Fail Fast - I have made a lot of mistakes in 21 years. I mess up a lot. My programs, plans and projects don't always work. Sometimes, they actually suck. But, I am getting better, and not making each one a measure of my own self-worth. Sometimes things just don't work out. The best thing that anyone can do is realize early that something has failed, and move on to the next one. I think for every one success I have had, there have been 20 failures before it. Fail fast, and move on quickly to your next success!
15. "You Are Your Own Business" - not my words, but the words of the amazing Andy Grove, that I have listened to for years. I hear him saying it still today. No matter where you go, or what you do, you are responsible for framing up your success, learning, and growing your business. Your success or failure is ultimately yours alone. You are the CEO, President, CFO, janitor, shipping & receiving of You, Inc. Be proud of your business... You! Own it. And, continue taking all the steps necessary to ensure it succeeds. You're worth it.

I started my career at Intel immediately after my graduation from Georgia Tech. I can still remember that long, scary drive at 22 years old from Atlanta, GA to Folsom, CA in a big moving van, my jeep in tow, and all my worldly possessions in the back. My career has taken me through many experiences including involvement in a sales and marketing rotation program, multiple worldwide marketing teams, high-profile Intel product launches, vertical marketing teams, partner marketing, managing Intel customers for 10 years, and now serving as a Partner Marketing Manager for one of the great Intel partners in the world! I have had the pleasure of living in Folsom, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Minneapolis, and now Missouri - in the heart of "Silicon Valley in St Louis". And, for all of it, I am grateful.

So, I will celebrate my 21st year at Intel with the planning of my third sabbatical for Summer 2020 with my family, and take a long overdue break to rest and recharge. After which, I will return and continue to raise my own personal bar, and enjoy the ride in the front seat with one of the greatest technology innovators in the world.