Sweet 16

This month, I’m celebrating my 16th anniversary at @Cisco. My Sweet 16!

This may seem like a long time to stay with one company, but time flies when you’re growing and learning alongside amazing people at the number one workplace in the world. I have loved every moment of this wonderful journey and I wouldn’t change anything if I did it all over again.

In these past 16 years I have worked in sales, business development, channel, and marketing. It has been an amazing learning experience but the one thing that I cherish most is the relationships I have built and lifetime friends I made along the way.

During those 16 years I got married, raised three children, relocated to America, and traveled through 40 countries. But through it all I had one constant -? the place where I loved to work.?

With that said, I want to share 16 learning from my time at Cisco that got me to where I am today:

1. Learn something new from everyone you meet: I’ve met many people in my tenure at Cisco and have learned so much from each person. However, I’ve learned the most from my team. Showing up every morning to work with an open mind and open heart to embrace, support, and guide the team was my greatest learning experience. My time at Cisco has encouraged me to spend time self-reflecting and learning more about myself than I could imagine. Learning from other leaders was and remains a great inspiration for me.
2. Lift others up: I would not have grown as a leader if not for my team. Their achievements were my achievements, and vice versa. I take great pride in being a trusted advisor and teacher for many. Nothing has brought me greater satisfaction than advancing someone else’s career and watching them succeed. At every opportunity I work to support my team both within and outside the work environment.
3. Challenge yourself: From knowing the appropriate moments to speak or listen to taking feedback and criticisms with an open mind and approaching unfamiliar problems it’s important to always take on new responsibility. I grew as a person and leader by stepping outside of my comfort zone and exposing myself to a myriad of challenges every day.
4. Live and work by your values: our values define who we are, embrace them and don’t shy away from being who your true self is.
5. Be open to new ideas: marketers always bring new ideas to the table. Explore them.
6. Give recognition in public and feedback in private: your team will value you more for that.
7. Stay close to your sales team: if you are not close to sales and customers, you are disconnected from the business.
8. Always remember, the power of your No, determines the quality of your Yes!
9. Keep it simple: as the French say “la simplicité fait la beauté” , simplifying complex tasks will make it easier for your team and your stakeholders to work together.
10. Never underestimate the power of listening. Many issues often get solved by simply listening to others and showing that you truly understand and care.
11. Build friendships: Many of my colleagues are actually my close friends.
12. Lead by example: People look up to you so be a good example for them.
13. Take time off: look after your health, your family, loved ones, and switch off everyone and then. You do not have super powers so do not act like you have one!
14. Celebrate your success: at Cisco we work hard and play hard. Enjoy your wins no matter how small or big they are.
15. Give back: be generous with your time and money to help and give back. If you do good, good will come to you.
16. Finally, be optimistic, cultivate an attitude of gratitude, focus on the positive things and challenge your negative thoughts, be proud of who you are and embrace the world with its diversity.?

Thank you to all my colleagues, leaders and friends, I wouldn’t be here today with you.