Leading and Mentoring in Cyber Security at Cisco

The Bugatti Chiron is, as quoted on their website, “The fastest, most powerful, and exclusive production super sports car in Bugatti’s history. Its sophisticated design, innovative technology, and iconic, performance-oriented form make it a unique masterpiece of art, form and technique, that pushes boundaries beyond imagination.”

In a similar fashion, I feel a mentor should lead their mentee to be “a unique masterpiece of art … that pushes boundaries beyond imagination.” I also believe that a career at Cisco does this very same thing, too.

Mentorship and helping others to grow is very important to me, from years of study I have done on this, to encouraging my wife and three daughters to pursue their passions – I truly enjoy watching others thrive.

I grew into the leader I am today through a great deal of study and experience. I even conducted my thesis on Self Efficacy, and specifically how to combine situational leadership, and the use of an individual’s self-efficacy as key motivators for organizational success. One important thing I always encourage my family, friends, and employees/mentees is to look into their selves and find what motivates them, what excites them, and where they see themselves both in the short term and the long term.

Three months into my Cyber Security career at Cisco, I started mentoring a new-to-career co-worker, and it was such an exciting experience for me. I love helping to forge a path as their careers take off. And hopefully this enables them to be themselves, while using their full range of abilities towards a strategic and invigorating plan that leads to their professional goals.

As the father of three, I am also extremely passionate about achieving equality for all women. I’ve taken this passion to my role at work as I’m helping to lead the EMEAR region for our Women in Cyber Security Inclusive Community.

For this fiscal year, we are striving to host two to three events where we motivate women in technology to join us in cyber security. We will help them to develop their soft skills, interview skills, and encourage them to push beyond their comfort zones through dynamic stories from women in technology right here at Cisco. And, hopefully, one day they will join us here too!

I am now 17 years into my career journey, and I can honestly say that leadership and mentorship demand a combination of self modelling, ambition, enthusiasm, empathy, and motivational skills.

It is my goal that through my work and passion, I will help to create future cyber security experts at Cisco and the wider cyber industry, and to create a space where women are welcome and encouraged to pursue their passions. Cisco already creates an environment where every employee can truly ‘be you, with us’ and thrive in the ways that excite them. Cisco loves a good career growth story – especially when employees have multiple careers right here at Cisco – and I am excited to play a part in pushing the boundaries beyond imagination and creating a better, more inclusive future for all.

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