Significant Career Lesson From a People Partner at Cisco
A significant career lesson for this People Consultant is the importance of showing up authentically, "in a way that is authentic to who you are," while maintaining professional boundaries. This requires continuous self-learning, as the need to "slam the laptop shut sometimes" and recharge to better serve others highlights the importance of sustainability in a demanding role.
Authenticity, Work-Life Balance, Boundary Setting, Self-Care, Sustainability
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Carolyn Wright
People Consultant - People Partner
Cisco Systems, Inc
American University
UCLA Anderson School of Management, MBA
International Relations & Affairs
Technology
Human Resources (HR)
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Showing up authentically at work leads to long-term success and sustainability. It's important to be yourself while maintaining professionalism.
2. Setting good boundaries and unplugging is crucial for preventing burnout and being more effective in your role. It's okay to set limits on work hours and availability.
3. Prioritizing self-care and rest improves work performance, particularly in roles involving significant interpersonal interaction and problem-solving. Taking breaks to recharge allows for better quality work and stronger relationships with colleagues.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
One lesson I constantly have to relearn is the importance of showing up authentically in my role for long-term success and sustainability. When I first started my career, I tried to be a different version of myself at work, and it was exhausting.
Now, further along, I'm focusing on being more like my day-to-day self on the job. Of course, I still want to be professional, but I also want to show up as myself. I find this to be a great relief.
The reason I have to keep relearning this is that when I start a new role, there's always an urge to work incredibly hard, put in long hours, and respond to emails at any time. That's not sustainable for me. I need time to unplug, step away, and recharge.
Setting good boundaries and giving myself space to be creative and disconnect from work actually helps me return and be better at my job. It means I sometimes have to shut the laptop, but it allows me to show up how I want to.
I take a lot of pride in my work and how I interact with people. My job is very personal because I spend a lot of time talking with others. Many people bring me their toughest problems, so I want to be present, rested, and ready for whatever they need.
This requires me to continually set up good systems, tools, and boundaries in my life to manage this sustainably. I haven't perfected it yet and am still working on it, but it's a lesson I keep returning to.