Published Jan 10, 2023

Cisco's John Chambers: The essential playbooks — and when to use them

John Chambers, former CEO of Cisco, delves into the strategic playbooks that fueled Cisco's rise, emphasizing crisis management, infinite learning, and adaptability. His leadership insights highlight the critical role of decisive actions and a culture of kindness in navigating economic downturns and scaling a company successfully.

Episode Highlights

Topics covered

Episode Highlights

Related Episodes

Strategy Session: How transparent should you be with your board? How do you boost morale in dark days? Is it time to blitzscale?
Answers 383 questions
5 essential moves for post-pandemic success, featuring Airbnb, Etsy, Sunrun, and more
Answers 383 questions
Strategy Session: How to balance innovation with your core business? How to help others tell the story of your product? How to sell an audacious vision to risk-averse stakeholders?
Answers 383 questions
The Big Pivot, w/Slack's Stewart Butterfield
Answers 383 questions
Strategy Session: The post-pandemic business, w/questions from Village Global and co-host Bob Safian, editor-at-large
Answers 383 questions
The Big Pivot w/Slack's Stewart Butterfield
Answers 383 questions
Rapid Response: Airbnb’s Brian Chesky: "Crisis is pushing us back to our roots"
Answers 383 questions
8 reliable lessons for unreliable times
Answers 383 questions
Rapid Response: First, be human – Thoughts on the crisis from Reid Hoffman
Answers 383 questions
To be first to the future, be stubbornly nimble
Answers 383 questions
Bonus: Five ways to burnout-proof your organization
Answers 383 questions
Rapid Response: A crisis leadership session with General Stanley McChrystal
Answers 383 questions
Strategy Session: When to replace the founder, how to be a learn-it-all, when to take the "venture bet," w/questions from Endeavor Outliers and co-host Bob Safian, editor-at-large
Answers 383 questions
Strategy Session: How to make the most of tough pivots? What are the right growth targets? How do you best prepare for entrepreneurship?
Answers 383 questions
Stacey Abrams: How to harness risk
Answers 383 questions

Dexa/Masters of Scale

Cisco's John Chambers: The essential playbooks — and when to use them

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Culture of Kindness

Playbooks and Pivoting

Embracing Crisis Learning

Leading Through Crisis

Mergers and Acquisitions

Website Optimization Tools

Customer Commitment

Evolving Playbooks

Culture and Crisis

Crisis Management Playbook

Playbook for Success

Culture of Kindness

Speed and Alignment

Playbook Strategy

Episode Highlights

Crisis Management

Leadership and Culture

Strategic Playbooks

Related Episodes

Strategy Session: How transparent should you be with your board? How do you boost morale in dark days? Is it time to blitzscale?

5 essential moves for post-pandemic success, featuring Airbnb, Etsy, Sunrun, and more

Strategy Session: How to balance innovation with your core business? How to help others tell the story of your product? How to sell an audacious vision to risk-averse stakeholders?

The Big Pivot, w/Slack's Stewart Butterfield

Strategy Session: The post-pandemic business, w/questions from Village Global and co-host Bob Safian, editor-at-large

The Big Pivot w/Slack's Stewart Butterfield

Rapid Response: Airbnb’s Brian Chesky: "Crisis is pushing us back to our roots"

8 reliable lessons for unreliable times

Rapid Response: First, be human – Thoughts on the crisis from Reid Hoffman

To be first to the future, be stubbornly nimble

Bonus: Five ways to burnout-proof your organization

Rapid Response: A crisis leadership session with General Stanley McChrystal

Strategy Session: When to replace the founder, how to be a learn-it-all, when to take the "venture bet," w/questions from Endeavor Outliers and co-host Bob Safian, editor-at-large

Strategy Session: How to make the most of tough pivots? What are the right growth targets? How do you best prepare for entrepreneurship?

Stacey Abrams: How to harness risk

Cisco's John Chambers: The essential playbooks — and when to use them

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Crisis ManagementJohn Chambers, former CEO of Cisco, shares insights on crisis management and survival strategies. He discusses the importance of an infinite learner mindset and decisive leadership during economic downturns.

Crisis Management

Leadership and CultureJohn Chambers' leadership at Cisco was marked by a culture of kindness and strategic crisis management. His personal involvement and clear communication helped transform Cisco into a tech giant while navigating challenges with resilience.

Leadership and Culture

Strategic PlaybooksJohn Chambers, former CEO of Cisco, shares insights into the creation and evolution of playbooks that propelled Cisco to unprecedented success. He highlights the importance of mergers and acquisitions, speed, alignment, and adaptable strategies in scaling a company.

Strategic Playbooks

Related Episodes