Work Stuff

Last week I left Cisco after 14 wonderful years. Unfortunately my unit was dissolved under the latest re-org / layoff round, so it's time to turn the page and begin a new chapter.

I often tell people "I'm the luckiest woman I know", and I can still claim that distinction. For some reason, God has smiled on my career path and it's been such a great joy learning and growing in new and unexpected ways.

My "real" career began in the production business in Southern California at a charming, quirky, one-of-a-kind place that did everything from staging, to commercials, to "industrial theater" and more. During that time I was the coolest Mom around! My young children got to come to the studio and see confetti cannons, cool state-of-the-art AVID edit bays (no jokes about my age, please!) and meet the most interesting cast of characters you can imagine. I got to do everything: hire talent, pitch creative ideas, organize equipment, manage crew packets and more; but the most valuable thing I honed during that time were my sales skills. During my time there I was also presented with a couple very challenging ethical dilemmas, which cemented my work values forever. Twice while there, I made very difficult "right decisions" that would come back to bless me years later, reinforcing that whatever the personal cost at the time, the right thing is always the right thing.

From that unconventional beginning I found my way into corporate life and loved it from day one. I understand all the issues of working for a large organization. The bureaucracy, getting lost in the shuffle, the politics - all of that can be challenging. But from the get-go I was dazzled by the complexity of it all. There were unending dots to connect, and opportunities to solve puzzles through creative reasoning and personal relationships. Connecting people, processes and tools became my jam, so corporate life was this kid's candy store! While there I was privileged to be part of Epson's ink re-branding campaign. I know, it sounds dry and boring but I found it fun, fascinating and SO MUCH FUN! If we're ever having coffee ask me about it :-)

That said, I did take a detour after relocating to North Carolina to work for a tech startup for a few years, and couldn't have enjoyed the experience more. I got to experience the beginnings of mobile digital video for police cars and other public vehicles. What a fascinating journey! Being a venture-backed, small company I got to wear every conceivable hat: marketing and communications, PR, advertising, channel support, events, sales enablement, and more. I loved the work, the people, and the adrenaline rush of being part of that company's meteoric rise as one of the fastest growing tech companies in the region.

The end of that great adventure marked the start of my Cisco career, which began as a consultant and evolved into a fulltime role. I was so fortunate to be there during the John Chambers days. What a joy and a privilege working for someone so clearly invested and in love with that business! I still smile, thinking of John bouncing around the stage at company meetings like a little kid on Christmas morning - full of excitement and positive energy which was part of Cisco's DNA. After 14 years there, and across multiple roles and growing levels of responsibility, I can honestly say I could count on one hand the number of people who weren't absolutely wonderful to work with. Professional, curious, brilliant, collaborative, kind people I was - and still am - so fortunate to have met.

With a history like that, who am I to doubt that the next chapter will be every bit as thrilling? Perhaps in 10 years I'll come back and update this post with another paragraph. Can't wait to see how the journey continues :-)

You Get What You Pet!

There's a fundamental principle in dog training: "You Get What You Pet." We have a giant, sweet, lumbering Mastiff mix who is not known for his subtlety. Whenever my husband comes over to chat or hug me, Londo magically appears from wherever in the house he was napping and noses his way (literally!) into the conversation. Without conscious thought I reach down to pet his handsome face and tell him what a sweet boy he is. Obviously, I am reinforcing his poor manners but I just can't resist his huge brown eyes and soft smile!

It occurs to me that "You get what you pet" goes for life as well as dog training. There's a brilliant admonition in the Bible, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also," reminding us to be cognizant of what it is we value and where we spend our time. Long ago I began asking myself when stressed about something, "Will this matter on my last day?" If something won't matter a month or a week from now, it only deserves a small amount of stress. If something will matter a year or more from now it gets a bit more; and the things that matter for a lifetime deserve the most serious time and attention.

Applying this criterion reminds me to keep the right things in perspective. That project at work that keeps me up at night and popping Tums during the day - more often than not it won't matter even a month from now. On the other hand, time spent reading to my children, laughing with them or helping them with homework could impact how they raise their children and what sort of lives they will enjoy. It not only matters, it can actually reverberate for generations!

Unfortunately the things that do matter are often the first things we push aside in favor of the things that don't. "Honey I can't help with your homework because I have a deadline" deserves a sober second thought. Naturally, there's a balance that needs to be struck and there are times work has to come first. But for my part it's been helpful remembering that I'll get what I pet - so it behooves me to give attention to the things I want to grow and perpetuate. No doubt Londo would agree :-)