Practicing moments of gratitude has become a meaningful part of my daily morning routine. Typically, I start my day by preparing a cup of coffee, pairing it with a perfect bar, and reading a chapter of 'The Daily Stoic'—all while practicing mindfulness. This combination provides me with energy for both body and mind.
It's a common piece of life advice—echoed in books and conversations alike—that expressing gratitude and appreciation is one of the simplest ways to strengthen relationships and improve how we interact within society. At work, the same principle holds true. Yet, I often find myself caught up in the whirlwind of "running at 100 miles an hour" and back-to-back meetings. Collaboration is fundamental to our work and, in many ways, it's everyone's responsibility. Amidst the busyness, it's just as important to intentionally recognize and appreciate one another.
Recently, I was reminded of how impactful appreciation can be for both job satisfaction and personal fulfillment. Before embarking on a long road trip, I had the opportunity to give a presentation at my alma mater, Boston University's Questrom School of Business. Ben Lubin, who leads the digital technology chapter for the MBA program, invited me again this year, and I was glad to provide an update and connect with current students. I've always valued when alumni share their industry experiences, as it offers invaluable perspective on different career paths. Beyond a heartfelt thank you, Ben went the extra mile by arranging for a certificate from the dean of the business school, which made me feel truly honored and appreciated, fueling my desire to engage further with the student community.
Similarly, at Cisco, the practice of sharing 'connected recognitions' is encouraged and embraced across teams. I'm always proud to see my team receive these acknowledgments from colleagues, but I'm especially gratified when I can extend my own appreciation to others. Simple gestures like a thank you or a connected recognition go a long way toward building strong, successful collaborations.
Most recently, I delivered an update on our Network Security portfolio to over 100 customers. The customer success team invited me to kick off their webinar series, which included in-depth sessions offering practical recommendations to help customers enhance their security posture and maximize the value of their firewalls. Following the event's success, the customer success team, together with their leadership, extended a connected recognition to me for my contribution. While I consider these updates to be an essential part of my role—allowing me to share insights directly with practitioners and gather feedback to improve our offerings—this act of gratitude further strengthened our working relationship and deepened my sense of connection.
Reflecting on these experiences, I'm reminded of how fortunate I am to work alongside such thoughtful and dedicated colleagues. Their willingness to recognize and support one another not only motivates me to do my best work, but also enriches our collective achievements. I am truly grateful for the collaborative spirit we share—it's this culture of appreciation that makes our work meaningful and our successes possible. Thank you to each of my colleagues for your ongoing partnership and encouragement; you make all the difference, every day.