From Failure to Growth: The Power of Asking What You Need

A Cisco employee shares their personal journey of perseverance and growth within the company. They recall the pain of failing CCIE certification exams, but attribute their eventual success to the support they received from leaders and mentors who asked not 'Why are you failing?' but 'What do you need?'

This question, which changed their career, is rooted in the three E's - education, experience, and exposure. The employee learned this approach while helping their parents manage their business alongside schoolwork.

After earning a master's degree in networks technology and management, they joined Cisco as a contractor, eventually becoming full-time employees. During their time at Cisco, they were surrounded by tools for learning, including lab simulators and exam support, which helped them earn certifications and contribute to innovation disclosures.

The employee credits Cisco's culture of genuine investment in their growth, saying 'growth is not a destination. It's a meaningful journey that is not built alone.' They urge readers who may be facing failure to remember why they started and ask for help.