In the fast-paced world of corporate leadership, we often look to boardrooms, TED talks, and bestselling business books for inspiration and guidance. But what if I told you that some of the most profound leadership lessons can be found far from the fluorescent-lit offices and polished conference rooms? Welcome to part two of our journey from Silicon Valley to the great outdoors, where we explore how the wilderness can shape innovation and leadership in ways you might never have imagined. The Untamed Classroom As a former tech executive who’s traded in my suit for hiking boots, I’ve come to realize

In the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley, where innovation is the currency and disruption is the norm, it’s easy to get caught up in the relentless pursuit of the next big thing. For the last 18+ years, I have been part of that world, riding the waves of technological advancement at Cisco Systems. But sometimes, the most profound revelations come when you least expect them, and mine arrived at 35,000 feet, on a flight between Boston and San Francisco. The Ascent to Silicon Success My journey began in 2006 when I landed what many would consider the ultimate dream job

In my 18-year journey in Silicon Valley, particularly during my tenure at Cisco Systems, I had the privilege of leading and mentoring some of the brightest minds in technology. One of the key frameworks that guided my approach was the People, Product, and Process model as outlined in the book “Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products” by Marty Cagan and Chris Jones. This model became the cornerstone of my coaching style, helping me foster a collaborative environment where individuals could come together as a cohesive team and achieve remarkable results. People: The Heart of Innovation At the core of any successful