Celebrating 25 years at Intel: 10 Career Lessons

Oct 5, 2023, I am celebrating 25 years at Intel! (amazing that Intel hired me when I was only 5 years old ??)? It was a beautiful Monday, when I walked thru the Intel doors at FM-5 in Folsom, CA for the first time as a bright-eyed, Sales and Marketing Rotation Program (SMRP) trainee.? I reflected on my 25 year Intel career over the past couple of weeks - recalling the many ups and downs, and the invaluable lessons that my career journey with Intel has brought me - each experience, mentor, victory and failure.? Since my last anniversary a few years ago was a LinkedIn hit, I wanted to share 10 more career lessons that I feel have been a good guide for me:

1. Lead with Benefit of the Doubt: Remember, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.? Extend kindness with everyone you meet.? A family illness, divorce, water leak in the basement, financial trouble, whatever life is throwing at someone… give everyone a little grace.? If someone misses a deadline or doesn’t finish a commitment, follow-up with understanding, see if you can help… battles are common and I have found in most cases everyone has the right intentions, but life (and yes, shit) happens.
2. Embrace Failure:? Don't fear those risks.? Failures, in reality, are just stepping stones to invaluable lessons.? I have screwed up a ton in my 25 years.? A lot, a lot.? I have done my best to take each of those failures and try to learn from them and figure out, “how could this have been done better?”? Failures can sometimes be a gift and that magic opportunity to grow.
3. Set Clear and Measurable Goals:? Simplify. Every. Plan.? Everything, everywhere, all the time in business is WAY overcomplicated. It is critical to have clarity of what you are aiming for, otherwise, how do you know when you achieve it?? Quantify it, know how to measure it, and make them hard, yet achievable goals to know success when get there.? Review regularly and course correct when it isn't working. Keep it simple stupid. And, when you do finally get there, celebrate it!
4. Keep Learning:? The world is changing... way too fast.? This time last year, how many of us knew what GenAI, ChatGPT, or Bard was?? The rate of change of almost everything from when I started Intel in 1998 has increased exponentially.? Set aside time each week to learn something new.? A new technology, new skill, new language, heck - take up ballroom dancing!? Your future self will thank you.
5. Build Lifelong Relationships:? Forge connections that matter and that last. They're your gateway to new opportunities, jobs, introductions in the changing fortunes of time. Often times people co-workers with can come in and out of your sphere very quickly. Take the time to engage and build a lasting connection with the people you interact with daily... crossing paths is probably for a good reason and you have something to learn from everyone!
6. Stay Adaptable:? Change is the only constant.? Don’t get too rigid in your thinking or beliefs of how things are “supposed” to be done, or "have always been done that way."? Be ready to pivot, try new things, embrace new and unique ideas, and adapt to the rapidly changing landscape.
7. Lead withIntegrity:? As someone wise once said, “Trust is earned in inches and lost in feet.”? Portraying integrity yourself is foundational to a successful and lasting career. Almost nothing else matters.
8. Focus on Customer Needs:?? First, know who your “customer" is.? Whether it's your boss, external customer, partner, internal stakeholder - meeting their needs is the first and most important priority.? Don’t get distracted with all the other noise and focus on the best outcomes for them.
9. Assume Responsibility:? ?Be proactive and take initiative to solve problems, suggest improvements, and contribute positively to your organization in any small way.? At Intel we have we have a value called “Assumed Responsibility”.? If you encounter an issue, you own it, you fix it.? I recall a time when I was working in Santa Clara, CA as a new employee, and had the great benefit of seeing Andy Grove and other leaders at headquarters regularly.? One day I saw Andy pick up a few pieces of trash off the floor in the cafeteria, and I told a colleague I was amazed he just stopped to clean the floor… but for Andy, an issue was in front of him and it was HIS responsibility to address it.? Not the janitor, not the next person behind him.? It was HIS.? This kind culture and way of thinking is what GETS. SHIT. DONE.
10. Take The Vacation:? Prioritize a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and maintain your overall well-being. Taking care of yourself allows you to perform better in your professional and personal life.? Don’t skip a wellness day, a vacation, a hike or trip to the beach. The work will be there when you get back.? You need the break, and you will perform better because of it. Get out there!

A million thanks to my many amazing managers, mentors, cheerleaders, colleagues, customers, and partners over the past 25 years.? Cheers to never stopping, never settling, assuming responsibility, and always striving for better.? On to the next 25 years and everything that comes next!? ???? #25Years #CareerLessons #Anniversary #IamIntel

A few notable achievements and photos from my 25 year Intel career I am particularly proud of:?

• Thailand Habitat for Humanity International (Sabbatical 2013)
• Philippines IESC Volunteer (2015)
• Puerto Rico Education Service Trip - Part 1 (2017)
• Puerto Rico Education Service Trip - Part 2 (2018)
• Ukraine Relief N50 Project (2022)
• $1B Intel Revenue Milestone Event
• BHGH / Intel Future Skills Program (2023)

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