I've been at Cisco for thirteen years and I've been trying to gather the courage to leave for the last two. Fear kept me from even looking for something new until I finally asked myself if I can picture myself being in my position for another five or ten years. The answer was a resounding no. Is it going to be better somewhere else? I can't know for sure. But with the current culture of fear and toxic work environment here, it's worth the risk to check.
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"That is so naive it's almost cute. You and the rest of us know nothing about the future..."
I may not know the future, but that doesn't keep it from being beautiful. I think any future would be beautiful in it's own ways.
I am also of the opinion that most any job would feel better than Cisco. The way they treat employees is disgusting. Like slaves, like cattle, like owned property. Like replaceable cogs in a machine.
Every time they do a layoff - our team gets 15% less effective due to all the knowledge lost. We are to the point where no one on the team knows much of anything - many new team members and few experienced folks. It's the blind leading the blind.
There isn't much documentation, everything is tribal knowledge. So every time they get rid of people, they also get rid of the knowledge and skills of how our products work.
"I decided I want the beautiful future."
That is so naive it's almost cute. You and the rest of us know nothing about the future whether you like it or not. Only this very moment exists. The past is gone for ever, and we simply don't know or control what the next minute holds. To quote John Lennon "life is what happens when you're busy making plans."
Never greener? I'm very happy with where I am now. It is very much greener.
"The truth is that the grass is never, ever, greener."
LOL. What an absurd statement. I've been in a new position for 3 months now. The grass is much greener.
It was hard for me to do the same. I sat down with myself and asked - do I want the beautiful future, or do I want the mediocre now?
I decided I want the beautiful future. I decided I am smart enough to figure out a good next place to land. With hope and joy for something that might be magnificent - I'm moving in new directions. I'm going toward what I love.
With peace and joy.
The truth is that the grass is never, ever, greener. It just has different problems to deal with.
That is SO true.
To be honest Cisco is quite a benign place to work. Pay is good, if not stellar, conditions are OK. Leadership, well, let’s park that one. It’s easy to get in the Cisco comfort zone and be reluctant to move on. It’s not fear, it’s pragmatism.
I wouldn't call it benign. There's a lot of toxicity going on. Especially in the US over the vaccine mandate which is dividing the US workforce just like the US is split politically. If you're lucky enough to be in a good group with middle and upper management who try to insulate the individual contributors from the budget/office politics, then I agree it's an OK place to work.
Cripes ... how do you dress yourself in the morning ?!!
I don’t, that’s what my valet is for.
And there’s only one person I know that uses ‘cripes’, Basil, is that you?
To be honest Cisco is quite a benign place to work. Pay is good, if not stellar, conditions are OK. Leadership, well, let’s park that one. It’s easy to get in the Cisco comfort zone and be reluctant to move on. It’s not fear, it’s pragmatism.
The truth is that the grass is never, ever, greener. It just has different problems to deal with.
When you have more bad days than good days, it's time to leave. I left and this has been a great relief: for me, for my health, and for my family. Was it easy? Of course not! Every change is a risk ... but staying in a toxic environment involved even great risks.
I also left after similar time frame. Regret not doing it at least 5 years sooner.
Just leave
I left after a similar time period. Make a bold move. Better late than never
You've asked yourself the correct question. Given your answer, it's time to make a move. Staying in a miserable situation with no hope for the future will ki-l you mentally and physically.
Cripes ... how do you dress yourself in the morning ?!!