Significant Career Lesson From a Group Manager Product Marketing at Cisco
Stephanie, a Group Manager of Product Marketing at Cisco, credits a leader's advice—"have a strong perspective, but loosely held"—as pivotal to career success. This approach, which involves confidently presenting a point of view while remaining open to constructive criticism and alternative ideas, is key to progressing in a career, according to Stephanie.
Communication, Leadership, Product Marketing, Confidence, Perspective
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Stephanie Sosa
Group Manager, Product Marketing
Cisco
UCLA
N/A
Anthropology, Sociology
Technology
Communication and Marketing
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Have a strong perspective, but hold it loosely. It's important to come to the table with a point of view, but also be open to others' ideas and perspectives.
2. Be willing to share your ideas and be confident in expressing your point of view. This will help you to advance in your career.
3. Always be open to new ideas and the possibility that others may have better ideas than your own. This will improve your decision-making process and your outcomes.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
The one thing that has stuck by me and I think is very helpful in my career, specifically in product marketing, is advice from a leader I worked for. They told me to have a strong perspective, but loosely held.
I live by this advice and encourage my team to adopt it. To thrive and be successful, you need to have a point of view. This doesn't mean always talking in meetings or being the most vocal.
It does mean coming to the table with a clear idea: what you want to do, why you want to do it, and why it's important. At the same time, hold that perspective loosely. Be open to others challenging or questioning it.
There will always be better ideas and people who can help improve yours. It's difficult to be the first to present an idea. However, those who do so effectively and with confidence will advance furthest in their careers.